View source for Chocky

{{Short description|1963 science fiction novel by John Wyndham}}
{{about|the novel|the TV series|Chocky (TV series)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox book|
| name = Chocky
| title_orig = 
| translator = 
| image = Chocky cover.jpg
| caption = 1st edition
| author = [[John Wyndham]]
| illustrator = 
| cover_artist = 
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| series = 
| genre = [[Science fiction]]
| publisher = [[Michael Joseph (publisher)|Michael Joseph]]
| release_date = 1968
| english_release_date = 
| media_type = Print ([[Hardcover|Hardback]] & [[Paperback]])
| pages = 160<ref>Amazon, [https://www.amazon.ca/Chocky-John-Wyndham/dp/0141042184 "Chocky: Amazon.ca"], ''Amazon''</ref>
| isbn = 0-7451-0059-7
| oclc = 11366251
}}

'''''Chocky''''' is a [[science fiction]] novel by British writer  [[John Wyndham]]. It was first published as a [[Novella|novelette]] in the March 1963 issue of ''[[Amazing Stories]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?56515|title = Publication: Amazing Stories, March 1963|website = isfdb.org}}</ref> and later developed into a novel in 1968, published by Michael Joseph.<ref>{{cite book |title=[[The Day of the Triffids]] |last=Wyndham |first=John |authorlink=John Wyndham |year= 1951 |publisher=Michael Joseph |isbn=0-7181-0093-X }}</ref> 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 (TV network)|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]]. 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. The situation attracts the interest of shadowy government forces.

"Chocky" eventually 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 newly emerging intelligent life that it can subtly guide. Chocky, talking through Matthew, explains to David that in becoming overly attached to Matthew and saving him and his sister from drowning (and thus interfering with events on Earth) it has violated the rules of its scout mission 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]], first broadcast on 27 November 1968. The cast includes:
* [[Eric Thompson]] - David Gore
* Sheila Grant - Mary Gore
* [[Judy Bennett]] - Matthew Gore
* [[Peter Baldwin (actor)|Peter Baldwin]] - Alan Froome
* [[Michael Spice]] - Sir William Thorpe

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 included:
* [[Owen Teale]] - David Gore
* [[Cathy Tyson]] - Mary Gore
* [[Sacha Dhawan]] - Matthew Gore
* [[Holliday Grainger|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]] several times since November 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=John Wyndham - Chocky|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007k49r|work=BBC website|publisher=BBC|accessdate=11 March 2013}}</ref>

===Television series===
{{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.
* ''[[Chocky (TV series)|Chocky]]'' (1984), series directed by Vic Hughes and [[Christopher Hodson (director)|Christopher Hodson]]
* ''[[Chocky's Children]]'' (1985), series directed by Vic Hughes and [[Peter Duguid]], based on characters
* ''[[Chocky's Challenge]]'' (1986), series directed by Bob Blagden, based on characters

[[Revelation Films]] released the first series of ''Chocky'' on DVD on 22 March 2010 and 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]] acquired film rights in September 2008 and said he was interested in directing.<ref>{{cite news|author=Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit|title=DreamWorks picks up 'Chocky' rights|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=2008-09-24|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i7d59466b16c8ffd18d331d0f65a0b023|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{FadedPage|id=20230531|name=Chocky}}
*[http://www.thechestnut.com/chocky.htm Little Gems]
<!--* [http://www.archive.org/download/otr_chockyjohnwyndham/1967-Xx-Xx_Xxxx_-_Chocky_-_John_Wyndham_-_1967_0001.mp3 Chocky], BBC radio, 1967 (via the [http://www.archive.org/ Internet Archive])-->
* {{IMDb name |0943909 |John Wyndham}}

{{John Wyndham}}

[[Category:1968 British novels]]
[[Category:1968 children's books]]
[[Category:1968 science fiction novels]]
[[Category:BBC Radio dramas]]
[[Category:British children's novels]]
[[Category:British novels adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:British science fiction novels]]
[[Category:Children's science fiction novels]]
[[Category:Michael Joseph books]]
[[Category:Novels by John Wyndham]]
[[Category:NYRB Classics]]