When Bill Masen wakes up blindfolded in hospital there is a bitter irony in his situation. Carefully removing his bandages, he realizes that he is the only person who can see: everyone else, doctors and patients alike, have been blinded by a meteor shower. Now, with civilization in chaos, the triffids - huge, venomous, large-rooted plants able to 'walk', feeding on human flesh - can have their day.
The Day of the Triffids, published in 1951, expresses many of the political concerns of its time: the Cold War, the fear of biological experimentation and the man-made apocalypse. However, with its terrifyingly believable insights into the genetic modification of plants, the book is more relevant today than ever before.
John Wyndham was born in 1903. After a wide experience of the English preparatory school he was at Bedales from 1918 to 1921. Careers which he tried included farming, law, commercial art, and advertising, and he first started writing short stories, intended for sale, in 1925. During the war he was in the Civil Service and afterwards in the Army. In 1946 he began writing his major science fiction novels including "The Kraken Wakes", "The Chrysalids" and "The Midwich Cuckoos".
- ISBN10 0141185414
- ISBN13 9780141185415
- Publish Date 22 February 2001 (first published December 1951)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
- Imprint Penguin Classics
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 256
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/isbn/9780141185415
Reviews
ross91
remo
La novela avanza sin un propósito definido, tan pronto el autor quiere centrarse en la supervivencia de los protas en un escenario postapocalíptico como los mete en métodos de gestión de trífidos. El protagonista no para de hacer reflexiones filosóficas en los momentos más insospechados, las mujeres de la novela son maniquíes listos para tener hijos y poco más (la novela es del 51), y en general tanto las explicaciones que se dan como las decisiones que toman los protagonistas me parecen poco justificadas e insuficientes. Al final no se sabe cuántos supervivientes ha habido, cómo se comunican entre ellos... queda un final abierto y lánguido. Como final me gustó muchísimo más el de World War Z, que habla de otro cataclismo global pero da muchos más detalles acerca de cómo se organiza la raza humana ante la amenaza.
En UK los trífidos causan sensación, la BBC ha hecho pelis, seriales de radio y remakes, pero a mí no llegaron a interesarme.
arronkau
Michael @ Knowledge Lost
The Day of the Triffids was written during the start of Cold war and I believe the book is a metaphor for everything that where on John Wyndham’s mind during this time. The threat of biologist warfare, the problems caused by human greed and bickering, right down to the inequality of men and women.
This is a quick and enjoyable read, while some people might disagree with the book being a metaphor, the book is enjoyable without any deeper meaning.