Masterworks Spotlight: The Chrysalids

Nothing at all should be read into the fact that our two current SF Masterworks spotlights are a post apocalyptic tale driven by fear and hatred of those that are different, and the story of an alien visitor to Earth who brings knowledge but is greeted with fear and suspicion. That’s just how the publishing schedule worked out, honest . . .

And we start with the disturbing post-apocalyptic masterpiece from the author of The Day of the Triffids.

David’s father doesn’t approve of Angus Morton’s unusually large horses, calling them blasphemies against nature. And blasphemies, as everyone knows, should be burned: KEEP PURE THE STOCK OF THE LORD; WATCH THOU FOR THE MUTANT.

Little does he realise that his own son – and his son’s cousin Rosalind and their friends – have their own secret aberration which would label them as mutants. And mutants, as everyone knows, should be burned.

But as David and Rosalind grow older it becomes more difficult to conceal their differences from the village elders. Soon they face a choice: wait for eventual discovery – and death – or flee to the terrifying and mutable Badlands . . .

The Chrysalids is available as an SF Masterworks hardback, as is John Wyndham‘s best-known novel, The Day of the Triffids. We will also publish The Midwich Cuckoos in September.