Celebrating Goodreads’ Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week

[Source: Goodreads]

While discussing post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction with an academic writer, he asked if I’d read any of John Wyndham’s works. I had not. My friend recommended The Day of the Triffids. This book was considered one of the earliest books published in the genre.

What I learned

In 1925 Wyndham began writing short stories. In 1951 Doubleday published his first novel, The Day of the Triffids, in London. In May 2013, following my friend’s advice, I bought the book.

The book itself

I wasn’t disappointed. The tension began immediately and kept building until the end. Often I can predict plot twists, but not in this book. Before more complex and sophisticated technology entered the world of fiction in general, Wyndham began the story with a simple concept that turned into a complex nightmare. I rooted for the characters in this prescient tale of impending mass destruction.

Some critics have compared Wyndham’s work to H. G. Wells’. Yes, H. G. Wells was rightly considered the father of science fiction. Yet Wyndham’s novel was above some of the more current post-apocalyptic and dystopian novels I’ve read. And this – the book is still in print.


Don’t forget to check out Sci-Fi & Fantasy Week on Goodreads, an event where readers vote on their top 50 favorite books of each genre.

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