"Day of the Triffids", John Wyndham

Background info:

Day of the Triffids was written in 1951 by John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris, under the pseudonym John Wyndham (taken from his ample supply of middle names). This was the first book that he wrote under this pen name. Just so everyone knows, John Wyndham is my absolute favorite science fiction (SF) author, and I have enjoyed all of his books (and short stories) that I have read so far.

Plot Intro:

The book is set in England, at an unknown date (probably in the future). It begins in London, where the main character William Masen is hospitalized, with his eyes bandaged over. During this time, a strange green meteor shower occurs, which leaves everyone who saw it blind. This causes a mass panic and disorder.

Masen soon meets up with another sighted person, named Josella Playton. The two decide that they have a better chance of surviving if they stick together.

They soon join up with a larger group of sighted people who plan on re-building society.

At the beginning of the story, a species of plant called the Triffid is introduced. Due to its usefulness, it is planted and farmed all around the world. Triffids are carnivorous, mobile plants with whiplash poison tongues. When the populace in general is struck blind, the triffids escape and begin to feed off the blind people.

My Notes:

I love Wyndham's books. Of course, one has to bear in mind that he has a naturalistic point of view, so I would take any ideas with an extra pinch of salt. (Yes, of course you can get ideas from SF...) He writes well, the story has a plot, the characters have character, and so on. The plot is developed well, and you are always wondering if the main characters will actually survive (because, while in a series we can say "Dr. Jackson is mentioned in the blurb for the next episode, he's still going to be around at the end of this one", this is not so with a book. While many authors prefer not to kill their main characters, some don't mind killing them off), creating suspense... which we all love.

Of course, I could do an actual literary analysis, but that would be spoiler city, and it would be an essay. So I shall say this: the book is awesome, well worth the read, assuming that you don't hate post-apocalyptic SF and light romance.

I Didn't Like:

• Wyndham's books are restricted in my household (i.e., you need to be at a certain level of maturity before you're allowed to read them.). These books are written for adults, but are probably milder than some of the things you'll find in the YA section in your library. If you are eight, don't go read this book, and if you do, don't mention me to your parents... please?

• The word 'hell' is used several times (as a swear word).

• Yes, there is some romance in the book, but not a great deal, for those of you who avoid such things.

• Christianity is represented as old-fashioned, inapplicable, and a unreasonable in the circumstances.

• Several minor characters commit suicide.

• The portrayal of the triffids is somewhat disturbing. This is mainly in hindsight, since I read this right after The Lord of the Flies, which is very disturbing to say the least... but that's another review, of course.

All these warnings aside, an excellent book. Just keep it away from your 13-year-old little brother.