Trouble with Lichen: Classic Science Fiction

John Wyndham

Aug 2008 · Penguin UK

About this ebook

FROM THE RENOWNED CLASSIC SCI-FI WRITER AND AUTHOR OF THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS AND THE CHRYSTALIDS

'Ingenious' Evening Standard

Francis Saxover and Diana Brackley, two scientists investigating a rare lichen, discover it has a remarkable property: it retards the aging process. Francis, realising the implications for the world of an ever-youthful, wealthy elite, wants to keep it secret, but Diana sees an opportunity to overturn the male status quo by using the lichen to inspire a feminist revolution.

As each scientist wrestles with the implications and practicalities of exploiting the discovery, the world comes ever closer to learning the truth . . .

Trouble With Lichen is a scintillating story of the power wielded by science in our lives and asks how much trust should we place in those we appoint to be its guardians?

Ratings and reviews

Although this may be one of John Wyndham's more obscure books, it is a great read. Written in 1960, however, it's content is very contemporary - a lichen is discovered to provide youthfulness to all who can afford it. This would be great content for a reality show in 2012. This is not really science fiction, but it does have many similarities to Day of the Triffids - in this book the author explores the implications of a society where people live for hundreds of years. It is interesting how he places women at the centre of the plot, as the main character runs an underground beauty salon that provides endless youth to rich people who are well connected. I really enjoyed how he plays up the shallowness of life for women who are seeking eternal youth, but for what reason? The story moves fairly quickly with a lot of focus on the interactions of people who are involved in the discover of the lichen, along with their families. Wyndham relies on heaps of dialogue throughout the book - sometimes it is like reading a play, and the book's modern feel comes about when the author cuts over to BBC reports and newspaper articles as events unfold from page to page. The plot examines the influence of religion and institutions in an insightful manner that is also very contemporary. Science is at the centre of this book - favorite quote of the whole book is "if you turn your back from science, she will land you a mule's kick to your backside" - some food for thought on climate change.

As previously mentioned a bit stuffy, but I did enjoy it and Diana's ideas.

About the author

John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Benyon Harris was born in 1903, the son of a barrister. He tried a number of careers including farming, law, commercial art and advertising, and started writing short stories, intended for sale, in 1925. From 1930 to 1939 he wrote short stories of various kinds under different names, almost exclusively for American publications, while also writing detective novels. During the war he was in the Civil Service and then the Army. In 1946 he went back to writing stories for publication in the USA and decided to try a modified form of science fiction, a form he called 'logical fantasy'. As John Wyndham he wrote The Day of the Triffids, The Kraken Wakes, The Chrysalids, The Midwich Cuckoos (filmed as Village of the Damned), The Seeds of Time, Trouble with Lichen, The Outward Urge, Consider Her Ways and Others, Web and Chocky. John Wyndham died in March 1969.