soapdish14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
maya_d's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ritajuanita's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
paaraadis's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this book as a kid, and it was my first true science fiction book. So, I'm cutting it a break on some of its problematic segments simply for the sake of nostalgia.
The premise is one of the first of it's kind (it's post WW2 and there's quite a bit of Red Scare influence in the story). You can see the novel's influence in modern science fiction media such as The Walking Dead. Small group of survivors tasked with taking on a massive threat. Being stung by triffid = blindness and more than likely death: being bitten by zombie = death in most cases.
The one major issue I have with this story is the misogynistic undertones. The women in this story seem very one dimensional and static. In this post apocalyptic world, they serve merely as machines to make more survivors. Sure, the story implies that due to the unexpected blindness most of the masses of people have given in to their more primal urges, but still. I know that it's indicative of the time period, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth (Josella wanting Bill to have a harem of blind women...very strange). That's honestly just the tip of the iceberg.
Ignoring that major issue, the storytelling is interesting and unique. This book made me afraid of the idea of the triffids. Wyndham made plants scary, if that's not a feat in and of itself in science fiction, I'm not sure what is. I think that Bill is a decent main character, despite his flaws. He does seem to have some kind of moral compass despite being a product of the 1950's.
The beginning of the story, where Bill first takes off his bandages and realizes that he is one of the few people left unaffected by the blindness is such a powerful scene. I'll have to possibly re-read this story since it's been a minute and update my review.
The premise is one of the first of it's kind (it's post WW2 and there's quite a bit of Red Scare influence in the story). You can see the novel's influence in modern science fiction media such as The Walking Dead. Small group of survivors tasked with taking on a massive threat. Being stung by triffid = blindness and more than likely death: being bitten by zombie = death in most cases.
The one major issue I have with this story is the misogynistic undertones. The women in this story seem very one dimensional and static. In this post apocalyptic world, they serve merely as machines to make more survivors. Sure, the story implies that due to the unexpected blindness most of the masses of people have given in to their more primal urges, but still. I know that it's indicative of the time period, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth (Josella wanting Bill to have a harem of blind women...very strange). That's honestly just the tip of the iceberg.
Ignoring that major issue, the storytelling is interesting and unique. This book made me afraid of the idea of the triffids. Wyndham made plants scary, if that's not a feat in and of itself in science fiction, I'm not sure what is. I think that Bill is a decent main character, despite his flaws. He does seem to have some kind of moral compass despite being a product of the 1950's.
The beginning of the story, where Bill first takes off his bandages and realizes that he is one of the few people left unaffected by the blindness is such a powerful scene. I'll have to possibly re-read this story since it's been a minute and update my review.
lady_daisy's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Many plotholes, not the best writing
sendhelporcoffee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.25
bbboeken's review against another edition
4.0
Heel leuk om lezen (al heb ik er lang over gedaan). Ik kan mij voorstellen dat het redelijk controversieel was, destijds. Een van de betere doomsday boeken.