The Midwich Cuckoos
The Midwich Cuckoos
Book Brief
Beta220
Novel • Fiction
Midwich, England • 1950s
1958
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
John Wyndham's The Midwich Cuckoos follows a village experiencing a mysterious event rendering everyone unconscious. Subsequently, women unexpectedly find themselves pregnant, leading to the birth of unusual children with extraordinary abilities. The story explores themes of identity, community, and the human reaction to the unknown.
Reviews & Readership
27,877 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
John Wyndham's The Midwich Cuckoos intrigues with its chilling premise of a village mysteriously impregnated, raising unsettling questions about identity and control. Critics praise Wyndham's ability to blend science fiction with psychological suspense, though some feel the narrative pace lags at times. Overall, it remains a thought-provoking classic.
Who Should Read The Midwich Cuckoos?
Readers who revel in thought-provoking science fiction with a touch of psychological horror will enjoy The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham. This novel appeals to fans of works like George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, blending societal critique with eerie, speculative scenarios.
27,877 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Midwich Cuckoos was adapted into a film titled Village of the Damned in 1960, and John Wyndham himself praised the film for being a faithful adaptation of his novel.
The title The Midwich Cuckoos was inspired by the behavior of cuckoo birds, which lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, paralleling the mysterious appearance of children in the book.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
John Wyndham initially chose the title Time for a Change for his novel before finally deciding on The Midwich Cuckoos.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
220
Novel • Fiction
Midwich, England • 1950s
1958
Adult
14+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!