|
| |||||||||||
What are readers saying about The Day of the Triffids (20th Century Rediscoveries)?
|
Helen posted a review at 2009-09-27 12:17:13.
(Language: English)
 
This is an excellent book, which, because it deals with human nature, surely has to remain timeless. In the aftermath of the comets, the loneliness of people who are literally left in the dark is tangible and help to make this novel remain in your mind long after you've finished reading it. The part the triffids play in this chaos is remarkably easy to imagine, especially knowing the scientific research that is carried out now into genetic engineering. The triffids, although dangerous, are tolerated and managed because of their useful oil. If some degenerative diseases could be eradicated by cultivating a deadly plant...would we? 
|
Yes (0) 
No (0)
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-10-24 06:22:33.
(Language: English)
As a child i found the worlds of John Wyndham utterly fascinating
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-05-02 12:53:12.
(Language: English)
Too tame. Typical book of the 50s.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-01-15 02:18:06.
(Language: English)
Excellent book that holds up over time. What if most everyone went blind and was under attack? How would society change?
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-03-27 10:57:16.
(Language: English)
On the surface what looks like a hokey plot for a story actually turns out to be a great read. I almost read the entire book cover to cover in one sitting and wished it were longer! While The Chrysalids was Wyndham's most well known book, I enjoyed this one MUCH more. Most of the world goes blind, and man eating plants begin to take over everything. The rest is the book. Crazy stuff, but the way the blind and the sighted interact to survive was fascinating and had a "Yeah I could see that happening" feel to it.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-09-14 01:18:01.
(Language: English)
A great book, in the vein of 1984; a vision of a world taken over by despair and mystery. Only a few people survive the night of the meteor shower with their sight intact, the rest of the population are left blind and helpless. A comment upon human nature and the ability of people to unwaveringly believe themselves to be superior, to their detriment. This book is both empathetic to the plight of human misery whilst all along insightful in its observation of the complexity of human relationships and political agendas. You should read it, it's good!
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-02-03 05:51:54.
(Language: English)
lol "hold the baby" dillema - awesome... it is fantastic how there are no "bad guys" in the book... they are all human (except the very last dork who gets casually eaten for being stupid). Ultimate existentialistic novel: humanity is unknowable - there is only the chaotic froth circumstances and the way each of us deals with it that defines reality... fantastic. Imo, we need another world war to start producing this level of literature again. MASSIVE!
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-11-28 07:30:39.
(Language: English)
I think I first read this when I was around 12 years old, and it blew me away. I read it again ten years later, and it was strangely familiar but even more compelling. I suppose the book evokes the same feel some horror-survival genre movies do (ie zombie flicks). However, Wyndham goes beyond the obvious terror and panic moments and you become immersed in the mindset of the protagonist, who is simply looking for a way of dealing with their new reality using wits and resourcefulness.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-04-04 07:16:13.
(Language: English)
Have no idea why this book ranked so highly in the Top 100 Sci-Fi books list. The story's nothing special. The triffids are an unnecessary plot device. I see no point in them at all unless they are suppose to symbolise some environmental agenda. Overall, after the excellent "Th Chrysalids", this books was a real letdown for me from this author.
|
|
Heather posted a review at 2011-09-05 10:05:02.
(Language: English)
A classic that stands the test of time. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-10-27 07:02:58.
(Language: English)
Reading this story if like watching a really good three hour long Twilight Zone episode. The Day of the Triffids is memorably effective storytelling: the first person narrative works well, the ebb and flow of tension is handled well, the urban scenes are very effective, the tantalizing hints of danger from the Triffids builds towards later large scale confrontations. On the other hand, it is also clearly dated in important ways, with the role of the women characters, especially Josella, being exhibit A. Coker in some ways is the most interesting character in the book, and it would have been nice to follow a bit more of his story. Day of the Triffids reminded me of a very focused version of Lucifer's Hammer (i.e., in focusing primarily on how individuals, small groups, and large groups will respond post disaster). Having seen headlines about groups of thugs in New Orleans fighting, looting, and raping right before reading this book (headlines which in retrospect seem to have been exaggerated) really brought home how tenuous is (at least our confidence in) our collective ability to hold on to "civilization" in times of crisis. One thing I really didn't find credible was that, within a couple days after the disaster, the Beadley party was focusing their attention on rewriting marriage covenants (so that the women could concentrate on their "natural function"--having babies). Even if some of them were already thinking about this, I just cannot believe that this would be the central tenant of their "This is how we're going to do things, if you're coming with us, you're signing on for this program" message. Despite my reservations the effectiveness of the storytelling outweighs the weaknesses, and this memorable book is well worth the short investment of time.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-16 10:20:14.
(Language: English)
A classic post apocolyptic novel, written long ago but still a fantastic read. A seemingly freak meteor shower lights up the night across the world. Everyone who is anyone marvels at the sight but find in the morning they are robbed of their sight. Suddenly the world is plunged into darkness. The few sighted survivors, including the hero of the story must battle many elements including their own conscience to survive... and to make it worse, man made carnivorous plants, Triffids thrive in the new environment, gaining ascendency over the now sightless and helpless man.Great read, a classic that spawned a lame film, but also a fantastic BBC mini series that runs almost exactly like the book... a rare find these days with movie / film adaptations.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-11-03 12:13:49.
(Language: English)
Triffids were a genre of genetically modified carnivorous walking plants cultivated to produce a nutritious oil. Other than its mobility, a triffid also had a whorl which could lash out a poisonous sting that could kill a man. However, Man had managed to control the plant by incarcerating it.One day, a spectacular comet shower happened. After that, everyone who saw the spectacle became blind. Only a handful of people, including the protagonist, Bill Masen, who missed the display remained sighted. Overnight, the whole society ceased to function. The triffids were now on the offensive against man. Those who could see had to decide on whether to abandon the blind and conserve whatever resources available then to survive on their own, or to help the blind thereby exhausting these resources and probably perished.Though a far-fetched science fiction story, the author forces the readers to re-examine our value system in the context of our society. If societal support, as we know it now, were to disappear, are we able to maintain our values and our integrity? A highly recommended thought provoking book!
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2012-03-19 01:58:01.
(Language: English)
when i was 13 a friendly librarian at school recommended it to me .She helped me to enjoy reading and she introduced me to a lot of good books .
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-24 04:23:51.
(Language: English)
Fabtastic science fiction end of the world type book. Written by a british author, its a huge comparasion to the American versions of the end of the world, which is usually with a bang. This is more of a ''go out with a whimper'' type apocolypse. Took me a bit to get used to some of the 1950ls british lingo though.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-10-23 01:11:20.
(Language: English)
Meant to serve as a warning of the possible outcome of both the Cold War and ill-thought-through bio-engineering, this is a truly frightening tale, told in calm language that gives an atmosphere of shell-shock to the entire story.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-15 02:07:24.
(Language: English)
John Wyndham (1951): "The Days of the Triffids" I came across this book some fifteen years ago and still vividly recall the anxiousness and trepidation associated with the classic "fear of disappointment" syndrome that sensitive readers are prone to experience or exhibit once they touch something related to stories or books that had strong emotional impact on them during their youth or childhood. In my case this related to one of the most gorgeously terrible cases of the very highest fearometric parameters: the Norwegian Radio Broadcasting Corporation's version "I trifidenes dager" that once upon a time ran for perhaps six consecutive Friday evenings. It was really splendidly done and I trembled through the weeks of shivering anticipation. Could mankind be saved? It was good, then, to see that the book holds up to scrutiny, and still manages to impact my mind and my dreams and my lack-of-sleeping. The Day of the Triffids is a bona fide scary post-apocalyptic sci-fi classic. I still remember most details in absurd accuracy. But perhaps this particular book-iReview of mine is a tribute primarily to the Norwegian Radio (only one channel, then, of course) and its fabulous six-episodes version of Wyndham's tale.
|
|
Martin posted a review at 2010-10-10 06:01:55.
(Language: English)
All-time sci-fi classic.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2011-08-24 11:13:31.
(Language: English)
A fantastic (if a little brisk) detailing of the fragility of modern society. If you're a fan of apocalypic (zombie or otherwise) stories, or science-run-amok yarns like Jurassic Park, you'll probably get a big kick out of this. It's a everything speculative fiction ought to be.
|
|
Susie posted a review at 2009-11-06 09:40:02.
(Language: English)
Im not a huge science fiction fan but came accross this title after a whole collection of books had been left in the laundry room of my building by someone who was moving. I decided to pick it up out of curiosity and was pleasantly surprised. Easy read, engaging story...I can understand why this is a classic in its genre.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-05-29 05:54:53.
(Language: English)
Brilliant concept that the plight of human dominance of earth is now under threat by Triffids is due to a comet shower. Fiddling with nature has now become humans curse.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-05-07 11:50:17.
(Language: English)
An amazing book, I should have read it years ago.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-08-02 03:01:27.
(Language: English)
We had an extract of it in our text book in school. The first chapter. Then I read it. Then you could see references of the triffids in so many sci fi movies and series. Great book. Though it might scare someone below 14.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-02-26 04:30:46.
(Language: English)
What a fantastic book, John has written this story brilliantly, after reading this book I was left with a feeling of what it would be like to survive a major disaster & what would happen to the people & the world as we know it now. Not only did the characters have to learn how too live they had to fight the flesh eating plants! I watched the BBC mini series when I was young & it has always stayed with me. For anyone who is a fan of this book, there is a sequel called "Night of the Triffids" written by Simon Clarke. I enjoyed this book, It is set 30 years later & follows on with Bill Mason's son.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2011-09-14 06:47:40.
(Language: English)
I've never seen the whole movie, so I can't compare. I must say, though, that this book is a beautiful statement on WMDs. In a day when nuclear technology was still young, this book (as well as his shortstory "Re-birth") speaks of a hope that comes from the sky. In both cases, a newer, wiser humanity emerges from the apocalypse and retains flight (itself a newish technology) offering hope to those who struggle in the morass. In both cases love and children are the powerful binding and driving forces of the story. Wyndham could not have directly foreseen the potential dangers posed by genetically engineered plants that may present problems for those who use them as food sources. However, the triffids are a viable harbinger of the current issue. The story itself is an odyssey of sorts, bringing Bill from a world of tradition-bound mediocrity, to a freer, more scientifically guided world. The European attitudes concerning religion are so far removed from American mores of the day, and even of today, that it forms a point of tension, but never a serious objection to the new shuffle of the deck. Old style evangelical fervor dies out quickly, condemned by impractical approaches to a life that demands a new take on things. Bill's dual focus on survival in the face of the triffids and maintaining a connection with Josella make him a likeable and interesting character. However, The Day of the Triffids loses some of its potential for greatness in the relative static nature of Bill's character. From the beginning he sees the triffids as a problem when few others do. He undergoes some minor shifts when he and Josella discuss the possiblity of polygamous marriage. However, his most profound shift takes place when he realizes that the mode of life is not as important to him as with whom he spends it. Love indeed conquers all. His love for Josella trumps and informs any decisions he may wish to make concerning his sociological leanings. This is an important, but not a profound shift for him. Perhaps though, this kind of shift is most important. Bill ultimately, with the help of others (an important theme in the book) overcomes the "natural" threat of the triffids. More importantly, he settles on his relationships with other people as being central and vital to his well being. Man is gregarious. To cultivate that gregariousness is more important than to win over other people. Survival will depend on cooperation, not competition.
|
Share your views!
Similar books
