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Book Review By Neil Morey
The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham

One day in September the entire town of Midwich falls into a deep sleep. Soon after waking up the villiage discover that all women of childbearing age are pregnant. What they bear can hardly be described as alien as they look human but their golden colour eyes, their incredible growth rate and their increasing mind power differentiates them. As they grow older it becomes apparent that it is either a case of kill or face the eventual extinction and replacement of the human race by these beings. Gordon Zellaby takes it upon himself to try to wipe out these children once and for all.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
If an invasion, from Earth/human POV: - subtle invasion (mind control, lookalikes)
War or Invasion Yes
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Horror story? Yes
Horror plotlets - the bodysnatchers are coming!
Descript. of chases or violence - 10 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 10 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 40's-50's

Main Adversary
Identity: - an entire race
Age: - a kid
Profession/status:
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - mind reading - mind control
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount

Setting
Earth setting: - current (early 21st century)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog
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