John Wyndham’s The Trouble with Lichen (1960) is a speculative fiction novel that blends scientific discovery with social commentary. While less well-known than his apocalyptic novels like The Day of the Triffids and The Kraken Wakes, this book offers a thoughtful exploration of the consequences of longevity, gender roles, and the political implications of controlling scientific progress.
Plot Overview
The novel follows Francis Saxover, a respected biochemist, and Diana Brackley, his brilliant young assistant, who both discover that an obscure lichen species can dramatically extend human lifespan. Realizing the potential consequences of such a breakthrough, Saxover secretly administers small doses to his family, keeping his discovery hidden. Meanwhile, Diana independently pursues her own agenda, seeing the lichen’s potential not just as a medical marvel but as a means to disrupt societal structures, particularly those restricting women’s roles.
Diana establishes an exclusive beauty clinic offering subtle anti-aging treatments to influential women, using the lichen in secrecy. As suspicions grow and the secret threatens to be exposed, the novel delves into the moral and social dilemmas surrounding scientific advancements. Diana’s defiance leads to powerful forces seeking to suppress her, culminating in a tragic yet thought-provoking conclusion.
Themes and Interpretations
Scientific Responsibility and Ethics
Wyndham frequently explored the ethics of scientific progress, and The Trouble with Lichen is no exception. The discovery of an anti-aging substance raises urgent questions about who should control such advancements and whether humanity is ready for them. Saxover, representing a cautious scientific elite, fears the chaos that unrestricted access might bring. Diana, on the other hand, sees the lichen as a tool for social revolution, particularly in liberating women from the constraints of age-related discrimination.
Power and Control Over Science
The novel critiques the way powerful institutions—government, industry, and societal elites—often suppress scientific discoveries that might disrupt existing hierarchies. The fear of overpopulation, economic collapse, and a potential reordering of society leads to resistance against the lichen’s widespread use. Wyndham questions whether humanity is capable of handling profound scientific changes without corruption or self-interest getting in the way.
Gender and Social Change
Diana Brackley is one of Wyndham’s most compelling female characters. Unlike the passive or reactive women in many of his other works, Diana is ambitious, intelligent, and determined to reshape society. She recognizes how aging affects women disproportionately, diminishing their social and economic power. Her clinic becomes a quiet rebellion against the male-dominated structures that benefit from women aging out of societal relevance.
Wyndham’s portrayal of Diana as both visionary and tragic suggests that true societal change requires more than individual brilliance—it requires systemic shifts that may not be easily achieved in the face of entrenched power.
Inspirations and Context
Wyndham’s work often reflected Cold War anxieties, but The Trouble with Lichen focuses more on societal stagnation and resistance to change than on direct global threats. The 1950s and early 1960s saw increasing awareness of scientific ethics, particularly following advances in nuclear power, genetics, and medical research. The novel’s central conflict—whether a discovery should be suppressed for the supposed good of society—echoes real-world concerns about scientific censorship and control.
The book also aligns with early feminist discourse on the limitations placed on women’s agency, particularly regarding aging and beauty standards. Though Wyndham was not overtly a feminist writer, Diana’s role suggests a critique of a system that values women primarily for their youth and appearance.
The Trouble with Lichen
The Trouble with Lichen is a fascinating, if understated, entry in Wyndham’s body of work. It lacks the immediate drama of his disaster novels but compensates with sharp social critique and intriguing ethical dilemmas. By tackling the consequences of extended life, the suppression of scientific progress, and the fight for gender equality, the novel remains thought-provoking decades after its publication.