Chocky
1st edition
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| Author | John Wyndham |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Michael Joseph |
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Publication date
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1968 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | |
| 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 and later developed into a novel in 1968, published by Michael Joseph. 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.
Many children have imaginary friends, but one father, David Gore, becomes rather concerned that his son of twelve, 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, which he calls "Chocky". 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, or to provide subtle guidance to newly-emerging intelligent life. "Chocky", talking "through" Matthew, explains to David that in becoming overly attached to Matthew and saving him and his sister 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.
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.
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