In this novel Wyndham goes against type; yes, the background is entirely realistic, yes, an unexpected science-fictional element affects the life of the narrator, but no, the entire world is not under threat and no, alien invaders are not attempting conquest. In fact the aliens are benign and the narrator's family suffers at the hands of humans - journalists and others.

This is neither the best nor the worst of Wyndham's novels; it's more readable than most but has little incident and I found Matthew's mother a trial; she's stupid and unpleasant. This serves to keep Matthew more isolated but makes for unpleasant reading. It would be unfair to accuse Wyndham of misogyny, however; the protagonist of Trouble with Lichen is rather the opposite of this character. The absence of flawed Darwinist analysis is a relief, indeed this book seems to belie the views Wyndham presented in The Kraken Wakes and The Midwich Cuckoos. This novel and The Chrysalids suggest that humans present more of a threat to humanity than anything else does - now that's realistic.

I've (re-)read all the famous Wyndham novels now, but Penguin have reprinted some lesser known ones and I will happily pick them up if I should happen across them.