John Wyndham
John Wyndham
Author of Dystopian Classics
Full Name and Common Aliases
John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris was a British science fiction author who wrote under the pen name John Wyndham. He is also known as John Harris, a pseudonym used for some of his early works.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on July 10, 1903, in Dover, England, Wyndham passed away on March 11, 1969, at the age of 65.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Wyndham was a British author who specialized in science fiction, particularly in the subgenre of dystopian fiction. He is best known for his novels that explore the consequences of scientific advancements and technological progress on human society.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family with artistic inclinations, Wyndham developed an early interest in writing. His father was a civil servant, and the family moved frequently during Wyndham's childhood. He attended the University of Oxford, where he studied history but did not graduate. Instead, he began to pursue a career in journalism, working as a foreign correspondent for the _Daily Express_.
Major Accomplishments
Wyndham's writing career spanned over three decades and produced some of the most iconic science fiction novels of all time. His works often combined elements of horror, suspense, and social commentary. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
The Day of the Triffids (1951): A post-apocalyptic novel that explores a world where an unspecified cataclysmic event has rendered most of humanity blind.
The Kraken Wakes (1953): A science fiction novel that tells the story of a group of survivors trying to rebuild society after a catastrophic event has devastated the planet.
The Chrysalids (1955): A dystopian novel set in a post-apocalyptic world where genetic mutations are seen as a threat to the established order.Notable Works or Actions
Wyndham's writing often explored themes of science, technology, and their impact on human society. His works frequently featured elements of horror, suspense, and social commentary, which added depth and complexity to his stories. Some notable aspects of his writing include:
The influence of H.G. Wells: Wyndham was heavily influenced by the works of H.G. Wells, particularly in terms of exploring the consequences of scientific advancements on human society.
Exploration of themes: Wyndham's novels often explored complex themes such as genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and environmental degradation.Impact and Legacy
Wyndham's impact on science fiction is undeniable. His works have been widely acclaimed for their thought-provoking exploration of the consequences of scientific advancements and technological progress on human society. He has influenced a generation of science fiction authors, including notable writers such as Philip K. Dick and Arthur C. Clarke.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Wyndham's works are widely quoted or remembered for their:
Timeless themes: Wyndham's exploration of complex themes such as genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and environmental degradation continues to resonate with readers today.
* Influence on popular culture: His novels have been adapted into numerous films, plays, and television shows, cementing his place in popular culture.
In conclusion, John Wyndham was a British science fiction author who made significant contributions to the genre. His works continue to be widely read and studied due to their thought-provoking exploration of complex themes and their influence on popular culture.
Quotes by John Wyndham
There is no conception more fallacious than the sense of cosiness implied by “Mother Nature”. Each species must strive to survive, and that it will do, by every means in its power, however foul – unless the instinct to survive is weakened by conflict with another instinct.
When people live their lives by their beliefs objective reality is almost irrelevant. ‘That’s.
I’m not romancing. I’m talking about the inevitable time when, unless we do something to stop it, men will be hunting men through the ruins, for food. We’re letting it drift towards that, with an evil irresponsibility, because with our ordinary short lives we shan’t be here to see it. Does our generation care about the misery it is bequeathing? Not it. “That’s their worry,” we say. “Damn our children’s children; we’re all right.
Half the political intelligentsia who talk to a working audience don’t get the value of their stuff across – not so much because they’re over their audience’s heads, as because half the chaps are listening to the voice and not to the words, so they knock a big discount off what they do hear because it’s all a bit fancy, and not like ordinary, normal talk.
Reality is relative. Devils, evil spirits, witches and so on became real enough to the people who believed in them. Just as God is to people who believe in Him. When people live their lives by their beliefs objective reality is almost irrelevant.
I’m quite sure there is a simple way. The trouble is that simple ways so often come out of such complicated research.
In Oppley they’re smart, and in Stouch they’re smarmy, but Midwich folk are just plain barmy.
We are not shut away into individual cages from which we can reach out only with inadequate words.
They persisted in the face of discouragement until they gained the kind of acceptance accorded to the inevitable.