''Chocky'' is a

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imagination, imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, Paral ...

novel by British writer

John Wyndham John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris (; 10 July 1903 – 11 March 1969) was an English science fiction writer best known for his works published under the pen name John Wyndham, although he also used other combinations of his names ...

. It was first published as a

novelette Novelette may also refer to: * ''Novelette'' (ballet), a solo modern dance work choreographed by Martha Graham * Novelette (music), a short piece of lyrical music * Novelette (literature), a work of narrative prose fiction that is longer than a ...

in the March 1963 issue of ''

Amazing Stories ''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearances ...

'' and later developed into a novel in 1968, published by Michael Joseph. The BBC produced a radio adaption by

John Tydeman John Peter Tydeman OBE (30 March 1936 – 1 April 2020) was an English producer of radio and director of theatre plays. He was responsible for commissioning and directing the early plays of Caryl Churchill, Joe Orton, Tom Stoppard and Sue Towns ...

in 1967. In 1984 a children's television drama based on the novel was shown on ITV in the United Kingdom.

Plot summary

David Gore becomes concerned that his twelve-year-old son, Matthew, is too old to have an

imaginary friend Imaginary friends (also known as pretend friends, invisible friends or made-up friends) are a psychological and social phenomenon where a friendship or other interpersonal relationship takes place in the imagination rather than physical reality. ...

. His concerns deepen as Matthew becomes increasingly distressed and blames it on arguments with this unseen companion, whom 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; which is of 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.

Adaptations

Radio

The novel was adapted and produced by John Tydeman as a single 60 minute drama for the

BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content ...

, and first broadcast on 27 November 1968. The cast includes: * Eric Thompson - David Gore * Sheila Grant - Mary Gore * Judy Bennett - Matthew Gore * Peter Baldwin - Alan Froome *

Michael Spice Michael Spice (20 May 1931 – 2 November 1983) was a British character actor who appeared in television roles. He portrayed two ''Doctor Who'' villains, the voice of Morbius in ''The Brain of Morbius'', and Magnus Greel in ''The Talons of Weng ...

- Sir William Thorpe BBC Radio 4 presented a reading by Andrew Burt of the novel in seven 15-minute episodes, abridged by

Neville Teller Neville may refer to: Places * Neville, New South Wales, Australia * Neville, Saskatchewan, Canada *Néville, in the Seine-Maritime department, France *Néville-sur-Mer, in the Manche department, France *Neville, Ohio, USA *Neville Township, Pen ...

, 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 BBC Radio 4 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC that replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. It broadcasts a wide variety of Talk radio, spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history fro ...

, directed by Melanie Harris, was first broadcast on 18 March 1998. Music was by Paul Gargill, and the cast includes: * Owen Teale - David Gore * Cathy Tyson - Mary Gore *

Sacha Dhawan Sacha Dhawan (; born 1 May 1984) is a British actor from Greater Manchester. He is best known for playing Akthar in the play '' The History Boys'' (2004–2006) and its film adaptation (2006), Paul Jatri in the BBC One comedy drama series '' La ...

- Matthew Gore * Holly Grainger - Polly Gore * Kathryn Hunt - Chocky * John Lloyd Fillingham - Alan * John Branwell - Sir William Thorpe This version was released on CD by BBC Audiobooks in 2008, and has been repeated on BBC Radio 7 and

BBC Radio 4 Extra BBC Radio 4 Extra (formerly BBC Radio 7) is a British Digital radio in the United Kingdom, digital radio broadcasting, radio station from the BBC, broadcasting archived repeats of comedy, drama and documentary programmes nationally, 24 hours a ...

several times since November 2007.

Television 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 Anthony Read (21 April 1935 – 21 November 2015) was an English television producer, screenwriter, script editor and author. He was principally active in British television from the 1960s to the mid-1980s, which included a period as a script ...

and produced by

Thames Television Thames Television, commonly simplified to just Thames, was a Broadcast license, franchise holder for a region of the British ITV (TV network), ITV television network serving Greater London, London and surrounding areas from 30 July 1968 until th ...

. 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

Proposed film

Steven Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg (; born December 18, 1946) is an American director, writer, and producer. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, he is the most commercially successful director of all time. Spi ...

acquired film rights in September 2008, and said he was interested in directing.

References

External links

Little Gems
{{John Wyndham 1968 British novels 1968 science fiction novels British science fiction novels Novels by John Wyndham Children's science fiction novels British novels adapted into television shows British children's novels 1968 children's books Michael Joseph books