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The Day of the Triffids John Wyndham Books

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The Day of the Triffids John Wyndham Books

This is one of my favorite EOTWAWKI novels, along with 'The Kraken Wakes', 'Alas Babylon' and 'Earth Abides'. Unfortunately, the publisher has seen fit to edit out much of the color and detail that makes this such an entertaining read.
In reading this, I'd come to a section where I was sure there was more, and when I compared the Kindle version to my 1983 Paperback UK Penguin edition, all too often I was correct.
Quite frankly, it's like expecting Jolt Cola and getting Diet Pepsi , and I am sorely disappointed.
That all said, this is still a good read, especially from a cultural anthropology viewpoint (the morals and mores of the late 1950s), but for $9.99 I expect to get the original and unexpurgated version as was originally written by John Wyndham.
I love the Kindle, but you may wish to obtain the unabridged paperback version for the best experience (see attached photo for cover illustration of best [IMO] version).


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The Day of the Triffids John Wyndham Books Reviews

The “Day of the Triffids” reminded me of the TV series “The Walking Dead.” Character, issue, and plot development in the British novel and the American television series share many of the same post-apocalyptic horror conventions an abandoned world in which tightly knit groups of survivors struggle heroically against death and violence perpetrated by hordes of mutants and threats of exploitation and servitude by groups of deluded thugs. Although characters of neither world know for sure what caused either fictional plant monsters or reanimated corpses to roam the earth or the plagues of disease that further decimated beleaguered humanity, they suspect and we must agree that we humans--some government, military, or corporate group or groups thereof--having lost control of technological creations, made us the authors of our destruction.
This science fiction classic has aged remarkably well. It is not quite so groundbreaking or sweeping as George Stewart's "Earth Abides" but like that bellwether and progenitor of post-apocalyptic fiction, Wyndham's slimmer novel has a deep thoughtfulness and an observant eye for human behavior. Likewise, its deconstruction of modern civilization is less bombastic and more realistic than 21st century entertainment likes to project. In "The Day of the Triffids," an astronomical event strikes most of the earth blind (humans and other animals alike). At first (and as a first time reading this novel having never watched any of its myriad live action iterations) I found myself a bit confused, thinking that the eponymous triffids must have something directly to do with the astronomical event. But it soon became clear that the triffids predated the events outlined in the book, with them being something of a curiosity and mystery -- three-pronged carnivorous plants with the ability to move. As we come upon our narrator, Bill, we find that these plants have spread across the earth but that they are generally herded and controlled by humans, who currently see them as mildly hazardous (but only if ignored). But once humanity is struck blind, the triffids seem to have their day (per the title, which might better be Era of the Triffids or Rise of the Triffids), humans cannot see them coming, cannot continue to cultivate and hobble them, and coupled with the general breakdown of society, the coming years see infestations grow. Despite this, the main thrust of the book is really Bill's experiences post world blindness as one of the handful who luckily retained his sight by failing to watch the astronomical event. His background as a biologist working with triffids means he has some inkling of their capacities, but most of the book is more about his view of societal dissolution and the small bands of humans building new lives. Through him we see a number of groups with disparate approaches, giving Wyndham the opportunity to comment on what underpins civilization and the vagaries of human nature. All in all, it is a successful book, with the good, bad, and ugly of humanity on full display. The triffids, while a major force in the new world, perhaps do not deserve the headline treatment of the title. Still, a good read for SF lovers who enjoy visiting the foundations of the genre.
The Day of the Triffids goes a bit beyond sci-fi and into both philosophy and morality. Not only does it examine a community’s resistance and level of survival versus a catastrophic event, but it questions the very nature of how one must live, or rebuild, when faced with such disasters.
Very reminiscent of a H.G. Wells experience in its format and atmosphere, Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids is narrated by protagonist, Bill Masen, a scientist who gives us first-hand knowledge of not only the moments leading up to a mysterious disaster that blinds nearly all of society, but the subsequent aftermath. Masen says in the book’s opening, “The way I came to miss the end of the world—well, the end of the world I had known for close on thirty years—was sheer accident like a lot of survival, when you come to think of it.” A mass epidemic occurs when a meteor shower or comet blinds nearly all of civilization. Bill Masen, who is in the hospital recovering from a sting that injured his eye, suddenly realizes that not only has everyone lost their sight, but in many ways, their reason. People who were self-sufficient with their daily existence now have no means to be independent. To make matters worse, along with this epidemic is a mysterious and somewhat sinister plant, a treffid, that not only can sting and blind, but also has the ability to move from one place to the next.

Much like many sci-fis, The Day of the Triffids questions “what if..” and allows the reader to ponder an answer or a probable scenario that would work as a solution. What if we were devoid of resources because so many people were dependent on others? How would we survive? What would be the best course of action to rebuild society? What is the morally right approach to take when such a calamity hits?

Naturally, within this novel is a sudden collective panic is established with the community, a low morale among the populace as they scramble to secure resources and find means to sustenance. Some have little hope and take measures into their own hands. Masen tries in many ways to not only discover who can help, but how it can be done. However, as a pragmatic individual, he also realizes that not all can be saved, that there are flaws with each type of solution.

What I appreciate about Wyndham’s take on this apocalyptic situation is that various aspects of this world-gone-wrong are underplayed (as opposed to many over-the-top modern novels and films), and I think this gives more of a realistic vibe to the story and book. Zombies are cool too, yeah, but I think Wyndham handles a more sophisticated and humanistic approach to a serious epidemic and, for this, it makes for a great read. Within this novel are deep discussion points and ideas that will make you think long after the final page.
This is one of my favorite EOTWAWKI novels, along with 'The Kraken Wakes', 'Alas Babylon' and 'Earth Abides'. Unfortunately, the publisher has seen fit to edit out much of the color and detail that makes this such an entertaining read.
In reading this, I'd come to a section where I was sure there was more, and when I compared the version to my 1983 Paperback UK Penguin edition, all too often I was correct.
Quite frankly, it's like expecting Jolt Cola and getting Diet Pepsi , and I am sorely disappointed.
That all said, this is still a good read, especially from a cultural anthropology viewpoint (the morals and mores of the late 1950s), but for $9.99 I expect to get the original and unexpurgated version as was originally written by John Wyndham.
I love the , but you may wish to obtain the unabridged paperback version for the best experience (see attached photo for cover illustration of best [IMO] version).