John Christopher
John Christopher
1922-04-16 – 2012-02-03 · From United Kingdom- Books
- 20
- Followers
- 0
About
John Christopher was the best-known pen name of the English writer Sam Youd (Christopher Samuel Youd, 1922-2012). Born in Huyton, Lancashire, he began publishing science fiction in the late 1940s and wrote as John Christopher for his science fiction and young-adult novels, while using other pseudonyms (including Hilary Ford, William Godfrey and Peter Graaf) for different kinds of fiction.
The post-catastrophe novel The Death of Grass (1956) made his name, and he is best known for the young-adult Tripods trilogy, begun in 1967, and The Guardians, which won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 1971. He died in Bath in 2012.
Top genres
Science Fiction Fiction Young Adult Adventure
Links
Featured works
Series
Authors in the same genres
Frequently asked questions
John Christopher is widely recognized for his contributions to young adult dystopian fiction, particularly the Tripods series. His work often explores themes of societal collapse and survival.
The correct reading order for the Tripods series is The White Mountains, followed by The City of Gold and Lead, and then The Pool of Fire. A prequel, When the Tripods Came, was published later.
The Tripods series was adapted into a BBC television series in the 1980s. His novel The Death of Grass was also adapted into a film titled No Blade of Grass.
John Christopher was a pen name for Samuel Youd. He also wrote under other pseudonyms, including Stanley Winchester, M.F. Mason, and Peter Graaf.