A review by ziopera
Il giorno dei Trifidi by John Wyndham

adventurous dark reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I had heard great things about Day of the Triffids, and when I bought it I thought of all the great reviews I had read. Well, I certainly didn't find what I expected. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, but it's definitely not a masterpiece. As far as I'm concerned, "Day of the Triffids" is a great wasted opportunity. Because the most interesting element of the plot, the one that GIVES THE TITLE TO THE BOOK, is not of great importance for much of the text. The triffids, a very intriguing invention by the author, are useful to the plot only at the end and barely at the beginning of the book: too little!
Also throughout the central part, the book is quite boring, recovering only in the final, in my opinion really good.
I really enjoyed the reflections in the very last part of the book, reflections that also concern the triffids, and how humanity has, in the end, reduced itself to the situation presented to us in this novel. I also really liked the idea, although not very original, that some (Torrance) decided to organize themselves in an unjust and failed feudal system.

PROS:
  • The initial and final parts are engaging and reflective;
  • Excellent writing style;
  • Characters you get attached to despite the lack of characterization.
CONS:
  • The triffids are not a sufficiently important and central element in the text;
  • The book is mostly quite boring;

Would I recommend it?
  • Yes, if you want to approach this novel to reflect on some very interesting ideas it offers us;
  • no, if you are looking for a book of great impact, the kind that keep you glued to the pages.
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