The Days of the Triffids [Nov 5, 2018]

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Nov 5th.

[Siobhan]

Who's starting this tomorrow? :)

[Ahdam]

I will be just gonna get it off kindle later today. 👍🏽👍🏽

[Siobhan]

Nice one :)

[Siobhan]

I really like how this book starts. Very powerful!

Chapter 1 - (view spoiler)[Imagine waking up in hospital unable to see and hearing none of the usual shit you hear in life? God that must be terrifying! I don't blame him for getting scared and taking the bandages off. Bloody good luck that he couldn't see the comets after all... (hide spoiler)]

[Ahdam]

Started now and just read the first chapter and so far its very intriguing since it reminds me of those scenarios you would think up with your friends

(view spoiler)[ I agree Siobhan this would be very freaky if you woke up blind knowing something is wrong but too scared to do anything about it. Also I was wondering how he wasn't blinded but the comet makes sense.

The suicidal doctor was pretty funny mainly because of how stupidly outlandish it was and Bill's reaction to it as being "that just happened"

I really like the scene in the bar with the old man trying to get whiskey but keeps getting other drinks and is drunk from all the drinks he has tasted

I think the interesting thing was the old mans attitude to blindness since his wife and kids killed themselves because they were blind and I found it odd and was thinking was it that bad to be blind. I'm not sure if the sentient plants were a factor but that was interesting

The writing style is something to get used to since I haven't read much in first person in a while and the 1940's feeling is already creeping in. I'm still intrigued but my main worry is I'll end up shouting at Bill to make a decision but we shall see (hide spoiler)]

Yeah a good and loaded start but will definitely continue to see what is up

FUN FACT: Apparently the beginning of 28 days later was inspired by this book which I can definitely see

[Siobhan]

Chapter 2 - (view spoiler)[I loved reading the descriptions of the triffids! You get such a vivid picture I think. There's something scarily plausible about them... 😅 (hide spoiler)]

First time I read this I remember thinking 28 Days later had basically ripped off the beginning! I can see why they found it inspiring, totally.

RE chapter 1 (view spoiler)[I liked the doctor and the man in the bar too, great character interactions that really set the scene. His reaction to the suicide was very blasé haha.
I think the extreme reaction of suicide from the doctor and the old man and his family was probably motivated not just from finding themselves suddenly blind, but knowing that pretty much everyone is affected and the world has gone to fuck. Everything has pretty much ground to a halt, which must be scary af. (hide spoiler)]

Angela Jr, are you still reading this one? I'm sure we arranged it together but it was a while ago! XD

[Siobhan]

Chapter 3 - (view spoiler)[Interesting that the child could see and the mother couldn't. Was she tucked up in bed when the comets came? Can more children see?
Also interesting meeting another adult who can see and is now leading a gang of blind people about. I suppose there will be more who have escaped it somehow. They will have all the power.
I liked the blind man, with his stick etc. He'll be feeling pretty good about how well adapted he is right now. Though he's still screwed in the long run if there'll be nowhere to get food etc. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 - (view spoiler)[It seems a bit farfetched to me that Josella was tied up and held captive by a blind man when she had the benefit of sight, but then her explanation did make sense I suppose. She was just a bit naive, because why would she expect everyone to be barbaric all in a sudden.
The triffids at her house, terrifying! But just got me wondering why there's so many undocked ones about. Surely most of them shouldn't have stings in tact?
I love how intelligent they are. Bill's colleague was totally right about sight being humans' only superiority. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 - (view spoiler)[I'm not sure if I'm glad they've found more people with sight, or if I would have preferred them escaping to the countryside just the two of them. I think things get more complicated as the group grows, someone will be desperate for power, someone will always be a dick head.
It's funny that I only read this a few years ago but I really can't remember how it turns out!
I think the new people should take their warning on the triffids more seriously. Bill and Josella must have told them they found 3 people killed by them... (hide spoiler)]

[Ahdam]

Ok a bit further in and I've got some stuff to talk about

Chapter 2

(view spoiler)[I am genuinely surprised by the origin of the triffids because I was thinking it was some reaction from the cosmic event but this happened before that and apparently by some shady people wanting to make some money and accidently caused the spread of the triffids which is nice to know. Especially worlds interaction with it isn't surprising whatsoever.


However this was very difficult to read since it was a huge info dump and I was having flashbacks to Winston reading Goldstein's book which was so painful to read. It is interesting to know about the triffids but sometimes at least to me you don't need to tell us everything either that or sprinkle it in the other chapters (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3

(view spoiler)[ I find it interesting that Billy hesitates to break shop windows or commit any crimes as he holds his standards and how we see his thought process of things not helping out people. Also the interactions of the blinded is pretty cool especially with the kids and I also wonder if kids have not seen the comet. Maybe it happened in the middle of the night?


The group was the people I was looking forward to see and it seems they want to do something with the blind I'm not sure what but that was an odd bit of humour the author put in to have Bill beaten up out of the blue (hide spoiler)]

I've read chapter 4 but I'll probably put it up tomorrow but I'm starting to like it now after chapter 2

[Siobhan]

Through chapter 12 - (view spoiler)[I like Coker, he turned out to be a lot more than met the eye. He's very intelligent and likes to think about these social and moral issues, but he's also very capable. I think he'll be a good person to have around. What he did kidnapping them from the university was totally wrong, but he thought he was doing right by making them help someone other than themselves I think.
That woman leading the group at Tynsham needs to wake up and realise change will be needed!
I hope Bill finds Josella, he seems pretty stuck on her.

I think this book is so ahead of its time with looking at these issues of morality like marriage customs etc. I bet it was shocking to read in the 50s.
I don't think it even feels that dated when you're reading. I've read books written in the 90s or 00s that feel more dated. This feels like it's stood the test of time. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Ahdam wrote: "Ok a bit further in and I've got some stuff to talk about

Chapter 2
..."

RE chapter 2. (view spoiler)[I was surprised by that too, but I like that they were man made. I think we're destined to be the architects of our own destruction... :) (hide spoiler)]

RE chapter 3. (view spoiler)[I thought that was interesting too. I suppose he needed a minute to adjust to his new world, couldn't let go instantly of being an upstanding gentleman or whatever. By breaking windows and taking whatever you want, you're kinda admitting that's it, it's all over.
I loved that he left the money for his food haha.

Yeah it was funny that he thought he was gonna be heroic and he got decked. 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Finished! I really enjoyed this and liked the ending a lot. Can't wait to see more of your thoughts Ahdam. I'll discuss the end when you're done too. :)