Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant, and far too often overlooked
Review: "The Day of the Triffids" by John Wyndham seems to be a forgotten child of the post-apocalyptic genre. I'm not sure if this is due to it's relatively unorthodox premise, or it's somewhat dated take on gender roles, but either reason is, frankly, dead wrong as this is an amazing book that ranks with "On the Beach" and "Alas, Babylon" as a cornerstone of the genre. With a premise that is both utterly unique and rich in metaphor, and characters that are charged with emotion, it is a truly gripping read.
What sets "The Day of the Triffids" apart from other books in the genre is its two tiered approach to the end of the world. The first revolves around the eponymous Triffids, which are mobile, semi-carnivorous plants which are presumed to be the result of Soviet genetic tampering. While one would expect that they would be treated as a scourge, quite the opposite occurs as mankind farms them for the rich oils they produce. Thus, is the hubris of man framed quite nicely, and the pieces put in play.
For the triffids are only benign so long as man can control them; when left to their own devices they grow an intensely venomous lash that can kill a full grown human. When a bizarre stellar event leaves everyone who witnessed it blind, the time of the triffids is suddenly at hand. To go further would risk spoiling the plot, but as the few sighted survivors struggle to make sense of, and survive in, their greatly altered world, the triffids become the foremost obstacle to their continued existence.
Thus, "The Day of the Triffids" stands quite nicely as a post-apocalyptic thriller. However, it is what is going on between the lines that makes this a classic. First is the obvious comparison between the triffids and the Soviets. Not only did the latter create the former, but the swarming, relentless approach of the triffids nicely mirrors the Western view of Soviet expansions in the 1950's. However, unlike many Cold War era authors, Wyndham's view of the world is not entirely black and white. While the Soviet system may be the enemy, and not one he wants to live under, he doesn't remove all blame from the West. By their very response to Soviet moves he sees a world made less, not more safe, and one that is walking a knife's edge over the abyss.
Ultimately though, he sees hope for mankind because even as it teeters on the brink of extinction, he anticipates the ability to learn and grow from the mistakes of the past. His rather prescient views of the use of space and bio-technology offer hope, but only if used responsibly, and therefore "The Day of the Triffids" is as much a cautionary tale, somewhat in the vein of a "Jurassic Park", as it is a post-apocalyptic thriller.
Finally, there is a small but very noticeably element that infuses much of the first half of the novel. Time and again, Wyndham has his characters assuming that the Americans will be along by and by to sort things out. Given that this novel was published in 1951 on the heels of World War II, one has to assume that Wyndham was warning his fellow countrymen that the Americans weren't going to be around forever, so they better start standing on their own two feet. While hardly essential to the plot, this historical artifact does offer interesting insight into the context of the book.
Finally, as I alluded to above, there is definitely a pervasive, but largely benign note of sexism in "The Day of the Triffids". While it may offend some, it is by no means misogynistic, and rather reflects a form of chivalry that was probably outdated even as Wyndham wrote the book. On some level he seems to recognize this, as his writing of female characters is somewhat conflicted; he wants to shelter them even as he knows they must be strong. Again, more than anything this offers an interesting historical context to the novel.
I should also add that the introduction by Edmund Morris is superb, as he does an excellent job of stating why "The Day of the Triffids" is still relevant, and perhaps more pertinent than ever in our post-9/11 world. He writes particularly strongly of Wyndham's pathos for the victims, and how it mirrors our own response to terrorism. The rare novel that offers both gripping narrative and thoughtful commentary, "The Day of the Triffids" represents post-apocalyptic literature at its best and should rightly be held among the best contributions to the genre.
Jake Mohlman
Rating:
Summary: 'The Best' It would be totally devistating if you missed it!
Review: 'The Day of The Triffids', I read it in 1992 for an English class and I never regretted it. Now 1999 and I have read it again. The story really draws you into it; You have the characters senses and you can see through their eyes; It makes you stop short and wonder how would we cope in a world torn apart by such a Final Disaster!
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant surprise.
Review: A wonderful post-apocalyptic look at the human comdition. Disregard the movie. This is a surprisingly good look examination of different arcs that humanity could take if civilization was pulled out from under us. Cold, harsh, and cruel, but gripping and honest. Highly recommended. While you're at it, check out "The Chrysalids."
Rating: 
Summary: Coping with Worldwide Disaster
Review: After reading it, I found "Day of the Triffids" is less about man-eating plants taking over the world than it is about the possible fall of civilization, and less science fiction than it is social commentary.One morning, at a hospital in England, Bill Masen finds himself one of the few people to survive a worldwide disaster. After looking up at a "green comet" the previous night, the world has become blind. Civilization comes to a grinding halt as confusion and panic sets in. To make things worse, the Triffids, a species of carnivorous walking weed, have run wild, and are now taking advantage of their now vulnerable human prey. Bill Masen, like the rest of the human race, must learn to survive in this frightening new world. For the most part, it is a well written, compelling story. The myriad of characters are varied and realistic, as you read you see how people from all walks of life (those of different class, beliefs systems, etc) deal with the disaster. The landscape, both city and country, sights and sounds, are very well described and I could imagine everything quite vividly. The triffids, along with every other plot element, are entirely believable, which makes them all the more scary. There's nothing alien or spacey about it, particularly nowadays, in an age where concepts such as genetic engineering and satellite weapons systems are a reality. There was a few negatives for me. For one, the romantic sub-plot. Like a lot of romance plots in sci-fi, it is a little rushed and unlikely. The girl in question is Josella Playton, a pretty, effervescent socialite. She's a novelist whose debut is called "Sex is my Adventure" (only a man would write a love interest like her.). In "Day of the Triffids", they are intense and desperate times and these might have intesified emotion, but considering a great deal of the book involves Bill looking for his girl, it would have been nice if this romantic side was a bit more believable. I would have also liked to have known more about the triffids. I suppose the mystery behind them adds to the fright element, There are a few tantalizing clues about how they behave and what they want, and what their weaknesses are, but they are never quite followed through. By the end of the book I was a little dissappointed, not only for that, but for all the other loose ends. These are only minor points though. It was still a very good story and a intriguing, exciting and frightening concept. Sci fi fans should definitely have this on their must read lists, particularly those who enjoy post-apocalyptic plots. It didn't grab me as much as I thought it would, but it is still an excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Science fiction classic
Review: An excellent book - I only read it recently (despite its being on my 'to read' list for many years now) although can remember seeing a pretty cheesy series or movie of it on TV in the UK many years ago. The book is dark and frightening and very well written. Although I have only read one other Wyndham (The Chysalids), I intend to read a lot more. Anyone looking for some fine early science fiction should read some Wyndham - it as aged reasonably well and contains all the ingredients for a good read. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A "Bloody" Treat!
Review: As a SF-Veteran, established Asimov lover, I have spent the last few years reading the very best of Science Fiction. Now, with resources running slim and few options left (name it, I read it), A series of unlikely events led me to this wonderfully smashing read. I have always books which are Epic. Epic in social, mental, physical and violent(once in a while :) proportions. Asimov did it wonderfully (too bad he no longer lives :(., etc.,etc. The style is slightly different from more modern and ("upbeat" and "plotless" and "immature") sf, but not Shakespearean(Caesar was good...). If you don't like this book, chances are you don't belong in Science Fiction. Hit the road jack.
Rating:
Summary: A very enjoyable reading
Review: As if most everyone on earth losing their sight would not be enough of a story line, Wyndham next throws in the Triffids! I enjoyed this book tremendously as Wyndham explored how people survived this dual tragedy. The book is one of my favorites.
Rating:
Summary: The day the earth stood still
Review: As if the concept of a strange meteor shower blinding all but a very few members of the earth's population wasn't scary enough, author Wyndham menaces the sightless survivors with a malignant breed of man-eating plants. This book oozes with suspense and excitement with every page. Surprisingly, though it is almost fifty years old, it has aged very well. If you like end-of-the-world fiction, this is one of the best of the genre.
Rating:
Summary: A different kind of post-apocalyptic book
Review: At first, the thought of plants taking over the world seems a little absurd. But the author managaes to create a "post-apocalyptic" world that is quite interesting. I was hooked through the whole book - from the main character exploring his new world in blindness, to the desperation felt as the end as you hope that somehow humanity will find a way to survive. I had low expectations going in, but it has turned out to be one of my favorites.
Rating:
Summary: Triffids Light It Up!
Review: Day of the Triffids kicks butt! Two weeks ago I had never heard of John Wyndham, but I found his name in scifi.com's fiction archive, and I looked up his books here at Amazon. The opening scene in Triffids is mesmerizing. The basic premise of the book is that a meteor shower blinds most of the world population, except for a handful of people. One of lucky ones is Bill Masen, who was in a hospital with bandages over his eyes and was not able to watch the meteor shower. Towards the end of the book, narrator Masen speculates that the meteor shower might have been caused by man-made satellites orbiting Earth, and indeed, the whole apocalyptic vision of the novel voices the concerns any sane human being would have had shortly after WWII and the discovery of the destructive power of atomic energy. That said, the novel is not at all a doom and gloom book. It is actually quite hopeful, optimistic, and funny. There is a romantic subplot wherein Bill meets a charming woman named Josella Payton, only to be separated from her in the aftermath of the devastating meteor shower. A good part of the book follows Bill's search for Josella through various malevolent organizations that spring up in the months after the meteor shower. Developing alongside this story line, is the story of the triffids, a kind of six-foot-tall Venus Flytrap with a stinging whip that has the ability to pick up its roots and walk around. In the wake of world blindness, these plants begin attacking people who stumble blindly around London and the English countryside outside of London. The novel has a very solid ending that made me feel happy to have read the book. It was such a good story I'm going to see if I can get a copy of Wyndham's other classic bestseller, The Cuckoo's of Midwich. I highly recommend Day of the Triffids to any sci-fi fan, as well as to anyone who likes a good old-fashioned white-knuckle yarn. And, of course, I hope this review is helpful to you! Stacey PS Do me a favor and click "yes" if you would be interested in seeing a modern Hollywood remake Day of the Triffids.
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