Chrysalids (1955) (edit title/settings)

Angeline L edited the summary of Chrysalids Sunday, September 12, 2010.

• The protagonist of the novel, David, begins to see the fear that drives his community and the oppressive behaviour that results. He also realises that he must leave this community and save his sister and himself if they were to survive.

  The novel explores how we look at people who are different from us and we are afraid because we do not have the capacity to understand the differences. We label them and exclude them, even driving them to desperate measures to protect themselves. We use theology to justify our actions.

  This is a powerful and thought-provoking novel as it forces the readers to reflect about our communities and see the novel as a reflection of the many communities around the world today who deny basic human rights to minorities on the basis of religion.