Chocky

By: John Wyndham

Narrated by: Daniel Weyman

Matthew is a normal 11-year-old boy living with his parents and little sister in Surrey. He's too old and sensible to have an imaginary friend really. Yet when Matthew's parents keep finding him talking and arguing with a strange presence whom Matthew calls Chocky, that's what they believe it must be…at first. But Chocky is oddly sinister, and keeps asking Matthew all sorts of complicated questions about the world and making him behave in unusual and erratic ways. Then Matthew suddenly does something heroic, well beyond his capabilities; the media become interested and the interest in Matthew widens. His parents refer him to a psychologist. Who is Chocky? And what could he or she want with their son?

©1968 Canongate Books Ltd (P)2013 Canongate Books Ltd

very good no-tech novel

I liked this partially due to the fact there is no tech involved. for the most part it is applicable to everyday life in the ?s surrounding the imaginary friend of the boy. well written and not drawn out. it has a story and sticks to it, something modern writers who go on for hundreds of pages before arriving nowhere should learn from. (are you listening Stephen King, Peter Straub? etc.)

Riveting

Highly recommend. Performance is excellent and story is engrossing. Have read several of Wyndhan’s novels and they have all been interesting. You’d never know they were written prior to the 1970s.

unexpectedly fun and memorable

Would you listen to Chocky again? Why?

maybe, I hesitate because I don't have enough time for the 'next' book/podcast, etc, not bec of the book. It was superb!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I related best to the dad (though I'm a mom) & connected w/the worrying-mom but not surprisingly, loved best the main child character, Matthew.

What about Daniel Weyman’s performance did you like?

Daily listening on the way home from school was an unexpected treat for ME and my 10 year old too. I felt that the narrator was really excellent. I like to not notice a narrator, but ow I'll look for him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Any additional comments?

really a great book on so many levels, especially to be enjoyed by the young reader. But the bond that I enjoy w/my son after and during this 'read' is best of all. Its sticks w/you.

very good

I quite enjoyed this from John Wyndham. if you have read any of his others, give his one a try.

Impressed

This book was written in the 60's but reads like it was published yesterday. I loved it. Original, fascinating and hard to put down. Not as action packed as modern sci-fi and I wish it ran longer but I'm not complaining. I'm going to check out a few other titles from the same author.