Trouble with Lichen

The idea is so interesting. However, the reality rather deadly for the majority of people. Living longer may not mean living well.

Written in mid 20th century British English, this story is quite interesting. The stilted blood the prose is a little hard to get over, but the story is worth it!

Excellent plot premise, quite gripping. Awfully mid century British excellent plot premise, quite gripping. Awfully mid-century BritishAnd I want to read more of his books

As several other reviewers have noted, this is not Wyndham's masterpiece. (I'd say that was "Day of the Triffids.") However it certainly displays Wyndham's mastery of language, in this case used to very light effect in repartee that I would almost liken (or lichen :-) ) to Carry Grant and Katharine Hepburn's. Which is odd, given the world-shaking development the book is about. But it's all taken in stride (or at worst with a stiff upper lip) by the various characters, who are mostly attractive and well drawn. This is not a book to read if one wants a riveting plot or drama or depth of feeling. It would, however, make for an excellent little primer on the perils of longevity, for instance, as supplementary reading in a bioethics course. It's short (and blithe) enough to serve that purpose (although it's hard to imagine American students enjoying the "sophisticated" -- i.e., British? -- or drawing-room type of conversations that predominate in the book. Maybe older ones who enjoy Downton Abbey?).

A thriller this is not. It is a slow paced, thoughtful look at the 'fountain of youth' and how it is handled by the two people who discover it. Playing out over a period of several decades.A scientist and his young female student both discover the anti- aging effects of a certain strain of lichen at the same time and then part company for many years. He basically sits on the discovery, administering it only to his family. She however starts an exclusive beauty business.As we all know lies in the beauty world are readily accepted, No-one expects the literal truth..There is a thread of romance making a bat squeak appearance in the background. But this short novel is mostly to do with the greed and manouvering that occurs both at governmental and private levels once the truth about this strain of lichen is realised.This is my favourite John Wyndham novel.

British writer John Wyndham is known to the science fiction community best for his novel, and then the movie based on it, The Day of the Triffids. The publisher Modern Library isn’t exactly known for its modern (excuse the pun) science fictional sensibilities. So to judge this novel as contemporary science fiction is, I believe, a disservice to both the book and the community (and the reading community at large, as well, especially those who still reflexively look down their noses at genre fiction). Rather, it is a quintessentially British literary novel that employs a science fictional concept as a vehicle for examining societal issues, especially those relating to gender roles.In many ways, Trouble with Lichen violates the contemporary expectations of genre. Most of the book consists of conversations (“talking heads”) rather than action. Indeed, almost every pivotal event occurs offstage, leaving the reader with the long-drawn-out, convoluted, and often ambivalent reactions of the characters. Dramatic tension is slight compared to that in today’s science fiction novels. To this American reader, most of the characters sounded similar (similarly British); they had different points of view, but they all talked the same. (To be fair, a few of the secondary characters had strong voices, usually unpleasant ones.) And yet, I found the book neither boring nor slow-paced. Its center revolves around ideas, not action, but those ideas are provocative.I enjoyed the slow evolution of reactions and visions of the potential of the mcguffin (an extract of lichen that slows down aging, potentially extending human lifespans to several centuries) to transform lives and greater society. My favorite point of discussion was the way a greatly enhanced life expectancy would result in accumulation of knowledge, experience, and (hopefully) wisdom. For every anticipated benefit, there would be a host of drawbacks (ever-young people refusing to retire, others stuck in meaningless jobs for a hundred years, unhappy marriages turning into eternities of hell). Wyndham himself doesn’t bash the reader of the head, telling us how we should think and feel; he allows his characters to explore nuance and unfolding realizations. The book is out of date in terms of feminist sensibilities, not to mention LGBTQ+ and environmental/population concerns, but taken for what it is and when it was written, I found it surprisingly relevant. As I said, I enjoyed it and recommend it. Just don’t expect a lot of frenetic rockets’n’rayguns action. Instead, have a cup of tea ready.

This book is an easy read, typical of the Wyndham style. The ideas presented in this book show incredible imagination and are presented in an engaging manner via likeable characters.

As the plot of "Trouble with Lichen" meanders toward its conclusion, one may wonder if he/she missed the action. Often bogged down in exploring both philosophical sides of an argument, the book can be an interesting read. However, the execution in Wyndham's point is lacking.Diana Brackley and Francis Saxover have made an amazing discovery from lichens that has the potential to allow the human lifespan to expand threefold. Diana and Francis unknowingly take the discovery in different directions, but are eventually faced with the same moral dilemmas. The effects of a change in lifespan are dramatic, effecting most every facet of life. Social and political forces are quick to react to these potential changes.In the 21st century, many of the arguments presented by Wyndham in this work of fiction could be applied to modern issues such as stem cells. It is apparent from the tone of the book that Wyndham would side with the left. Fans of Wyndham will note this is typically the case in his books.On many levels, this is a clever, thought-provoking read. Yet at times, it reads more like an argument on ethics with a work of science fiction in the background. As other reviewers have suggested, this is among Wyndham's lesser works.

A very pro female book ahead of its time. Considering How baby boomers are getting older a story about staying young could be very popular!One of my favourite Wyndham books. Love The Day of the Triffids though the movie was dreadful (the BBC mini series was better).

Windham never disappoints brilliantly conceived tale of what could be mixed with a good cash of cynicism. While the end could be predicted it was by no means certain.

This book was written many years ago, and it is interesting to discover which aspects of society have changed, and which remain entrenched. The story is told by means of personal discussions, political debates, newspaper clips, radio scripts and telephone conversations. This makes it slightly disjointed, and repetitive in places. I wonder if John Wyndham wrote it in response to growing criticism (in the dawning age of feminism) that his female characters were subservient, and not very bright? Here, he created a woman scientist as his central character. It would have worked better if she had opted for a profession other than the Beauty Salon business! Like: What else could interest a woman? The author's personal attitude hadn't changed!

イギリスのSF作家ウィンダムの傑作。変質した牛乳皿に腐っていない部分が残っていたことに気が付いた生化学者ダイアナは生えていた苔を調べる。カビからペニシリンが発見されたように、この苔から抗生物質が見つかるのかと思ったのだ。しかし、腐らなかったのは新陳代謝を遅らせる作用があったのだ。つまり、老化を遅らせる・・・衝撃的な物質だった。もしこれが世の中に知れたら大変なことになる・・・人々や社会の認識、慣習が根底からひっくり変える。ダイアナの姿を追いながら、様々な視点から問題を考察している。最後にあっと驚く展開があるのも良い。新ペンギン版のカバー絵は苔が顔に発生して、こんななるのか！！とビビるが、違うだろ！！画家は読まずに描いた！それはともかく、考えさせるし（深い）、物語もほのぼのとして良いなあ。英語は少し理屈っぽいので中級以上。

I re read this for the first time since the early 70's. Remembered that the main protagonist is a feminist who eschews the classic marriage and babies life. Strangely the power of women is still seen as their physical beauty rather and the prolonging of youth as empowering to them. I'm conflicted with that. John Wyndham does write great stories and his scenarios carefully considered.It stands the test of time reasonably well and I enjoyed revisiting a book I had first read when I was 13. I immensely enjoyed reading them way back then and I think I'm tempted to revisit a few more.