Chocky

This article is about the novel; see also the TV series Chocky (TV series)

Chocky
1st edition
Author(s)	John Wyndham
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Genre(s)	Science fiction novel
Publisher	Michael Joseph
Publication date	1968
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
ISBN	0-7451-0059-7
OCLC Number	11366251
Preceded by	Trouble with Lichen

Chocky is a science fiction novel by John Wyndham, first published in 1968 by Michael Joseph.^[1] 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 UK.

Plot summary

Many children have imaginary friends but one father becomes rather concerned that his son, 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. 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. Chocky, talking "through" Matthew, to his father, David Gore, explains that in saving Matthew 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.

Television series

UK DVD Sleeve Chocky Trilogy

Main article: Chocky (TV series)

The 1984 children's TV series' Chocky, Chocky's Children and Chocky's Challenge, were based on the 1968 novel. They were written by Anthony Read and produced by Thames Television. The main character Matthew was played by Andrew Ellams and Glynis Brooks played the haunting voice of Chocky.

Revelation Films released the first series of Chocky on DVD on 22 March 2010. The 2nd Series Chocky's Children on 21 June 2010. The 3rd Series Chocky's Challenge was released on 23 August 2010

Radio Play

A radio version, adapted from the novel, following roughly the same plot, was made for BBC radio four in the late seventies; a 21st Century remake has been broadcast on BBC7 several times since November 2007.

Film version

Steven Spielberg acquired film rights in September 2008, and is interested in directing.^[2]

References

1. ^ Wyndham, John (1951). The Day of the Triffids. Michael Joseph. ISBN 071810093X. 
2. ^ Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit (2008-09-25). "Steven Spielberg's kidding again". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i7d59466b16c8ffd18d331d0f65a0b023. Retrieved 2008-09-25. ^{[dead link]}

External links

• Little Gems
• Chocky, BBC radio, 1967 (via the Internet Archive)