Mildly intriguing things happen but nothing that astounds, while reading the book I sat firmly in my seat without moving anywhere near the edge of it. It is a terrific segment to close out this wonderful story, capped by a pictogram/illustrated coda of sorts on the very last page that just might leave the reader a tad misty eyed. The answer to my question to myself is that human beings are conditioned to distrust anything that is different from themselves. Instead it is Matthew’s adoptive father, representing the voice of an inquiring reason (as opposed to the emotion-laden reactions of Matthew’s adoptive mother, Mary). We honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' continuous connection to Country, waters, skies and communities.

Chocky by John Wyndham - Penguin Books New Zealand Chocky by John Wyndham - Penguin Books New Zealand

She has come to say goodbye, because her presence has attracted undue attention to Matthew, and the powers that be want to get hold of Chocky and her superior scientific knowledge.We understand that not everyone can donate right now, but if you can afford to contribute, we promise it will be put to good use.

Chocky - Penguin Books UK

Still, it is an easy, breezy read and passes the time nicely, it is not his best work, but then you can’t Wyndham all. At the beginning of the narrative, Matthew and the alien have been in communication for some time and are already arguing like an old married couple. This kid, Matthew speaking weirdly, is he talking himself, an invisible friend, or something else entirely? If you like your sci fi, old school and gentle with some cracking questions like "Daddy , why is it a cow stops ?As the great novelist and critic Christopher Priest put it: "By fastidiously shrinking back from the sensational, Wyndham found a unique literary voice. As always with Wyndham, it’s well written and thought-provoking, and will linger in the mind well beyond the few hours it takes to read. The story is narrated by his father, one of those self-satisfied middle class lawyer types who routinely patronises his wifey little wife who says shit like “If you think so dear”.