The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham is a pioneering work of post-apocalyptic science fiction that masterfully blends suspense, social commentary, and chilling plausibility. The novel begins with a spectacular meteor shower that leaves most of the world’s population blind—an eerie catastrophe that swiftly turns into chaos. Amid the collapse of civilization, another threat emerges: the Triffids, towering, venomous, carnivorous plants that were previously kept in check by human oversight. Now, with society in ruins, they begin to hunt.
The story follows Bill Masen, a biologist who retains his sight, as he navigates this terrifying new world, grappling with moral dilemmas, desperate survivors, and the ever-present menace of the Triffids. Wyndham’s taut prose and keen insight into human nature elevate the novel beyond mere thriller, offering a haunting exploration of vulnerability, survival, and what it means to be civilized. A cornerstone of dystopian fiction, The Day of the Triffids remains as thought-provoking and unsettling today as when it was first published in 1951.
