The Day of the Triffids – John Wyndham (1951)
A cornerstone of post-apocalyptic fiction, The Day of the Triffids imagines a world where most of humanity is blinded by a mysterious meteor shower, leaving them helpless against the Triffids—genetically engineered, venomous, mobile plants that were previously kept in check. The story follows Bill Masen, a biologist who retains his sight, as he navigates the collapse of society, forming alliances and confronting moral dilemmas in a world where survival demands brutal choices. Wyndham’s novel blends Cold War anxieties with ecological horror, exploring themes of human vulnerability, resilience, and the unintended consequences of scientific progress.
If You Liked This, Try:
- The Kraken Wakes (John Wyndham, 1953) – Another Wyndham classic featuring slow-creeping alien threats.
- I Am Legend (Richard Matheson, 1954) – A lone survivor battles vampiric mutants in a deserted world.
- The Death of Grass (John Christopher, 1956) – A British apocalypse triggered by agricultural collapse.
