Chocky

This article is about the novel. For the TV series, see Chocky (TV series).
Chocky

1st edition
Author John Wyndham
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Genre Science fiction novel
Publisher Michael Joseph
Publication date
 1968
Media type Print (Hardback & Paperback)
ISBN 0-7451-0059-7
OCLC 11366251
Preceded by Trouble with Lichen

Chocky is a science fiction story by John Wyndham, first published as a novelette in the March 1963 issue of Amazing Stories[1] and later developed into a novel in 1968, published by Michael Joseph.[2] The BBC produced a radio adaption by John Tydeman in 1967. In 1984 a children's television drama based on the novel was shown on ITV in the United Kingdom.

Plot summary

Many children have imaginary friends but one father becomes rather concerned that his son, Matthew, is a bit old to have one. His concerns deepen as his son becomes increasingly distressed and blames it on arguments with this unseen companion. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the friend is far from imaginary, but is an alien consciousness communicating with Matthew's mind—a fact that is of intense interest to shadowy government forces. Chocky reveals that it is a scout sent from its home planet (where there is only one sex) in search of new planets to colonise. Chocky, talking "through" Matthew, to his father, David Gore, explains that in saving Matthew from a recent accident it has violated the rules of its scout mission (interfering with events on Earth) and must end its link with him completely. Its further work on Earth will be conducted in a much more covert manner.

Adaptations

Radio

The novel was adapted and produced by John Tydeman as a single 60 minute drama for the BBC Radio 2, and first broadcast on 27 November 1968. The cast includes:

BBC Radio 4 presented a reading by Andrew Burt of the novel in seven 15-minute episodes, abridged by Neville Teller, produced by David Johnson, and broadcast daily between 19 and 27 May 1975.

An adaptation by John Constable as a single 90-minute drama for BBC Radio 4, directed by Melanie Harris, was first broadcast on 18 March 1998. Music was by Paul Gargill, and the cast includes:

This version was released on CD by BBC Audiobooks in 2008, and has been repeated on BBC Radio 7 and BBC Radio 4 Extra several times since November 2007.[3]

Television series

Main article: Chocky (TV series)

The 1984 children's TV series' Chocky, Chocky's Children and Chocky's Challenge, were based on the 1968 novel. They were written by Anthony Read and produced by Thames Television. The main character Matthew was played by Andrew Ellams and Glynis Brooks played the haunting voice of Chocky.

Revelation Films released the first series of Chocky on DVD on 22 March 2010. The 2nd series, Chocky's Children, on 21 June 2010. The 3rd series, Chocky's Challenge, was released on 23 August 2010

Proposed film

Steven Spielberg acquired film rights in September 2008, and is interested in directing.[4]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?56515
  2. ↑ Wyndham, John (1951). The Day of the Triffids. Michael Joseph. ISBN 0-7181-0093-X.
  3. ↑ "John Wyndham - Chocky". BBC website. BBC. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  4. ↑ Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit (2008-09-24). "DreamWorks picks up 'Chocky' rights". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2008-09-25.

External links