This is my contribution to the Favorite Roundabout 2013. It is maybe not my top favorite for the year, but my favorite has already been read by about half of the participants of the roundabout (The Reluctant Fundamentalist) and so I went for my #2. Science Fiction is maybe not everybody's cup of tea, it isn't really my favorite genre, but this book really impressed me. It's a good reminder how fragile life as we know it really is. Hope you all enjoy the book! Please let me know your honest opinion. :-)

Off to the first reader!

got it!

Update 23.01:

Wow! I finally got what is meant by "I really got hot, when I saw Janet Scott fight a TRIFFID that spits poison and kills" from the opening song of the Rocky Horror Picture show. When I think about it, I have stumbled across that word a few times before, but never wondered enough to check it out. Well now I am wiser, thanks to you ;)

As I really like doomsday scenarios, to me this story was highly enjoyable. It wasn't as complex as other novels of that time, don't get me wrong, but it still is more than a story merely meant to entertain. It tells of our destructive and inconsiderate nature as well as of our hubris when it comes to perspectives on life and justice and of course, our self-importance as the human race. The tone of the narration, however, remains sober and the protagonist's considerations seem reasonable and stay practical during most times. He mostly lets the reader judge the various actions and experiences.

Leaving aside the time of publication and historic implications, The Day of the Triffids, moreover is a story about hope and the continuance of life. I especially enjoyed the reflections on tradition, religion and moral values that presented themselves in different ways throughout the book. I wonder what we'd do when survival and ethic codes collide...

Would the instinct of self-preservation overcome compassion and morality - would it strictly be survival of the fittest? Would there be right and wrong - or would life and death be the only determiners? What would govern our actions and ultimately, what would become of us? These kind of novels serve as playground for these questions pretty well and I am always interested in new thoughts.

To end my ramblings with words from the book:

"You know, one of the most shocking things about it is to realise how easily we have lost a world that seemed so safe and certain.“

travel on!

The book is with me! I read the Russian version in my youth, it's great to see the original version now. I remember the idea seemed to me a second-hand: I read so much sci-fi those days that it was hard to find an original story after a while.

Planning to send this weekend with the other book from the roundabout.

What a nice surprise! I've been meaning to read this book for ages! I really enjoyed The Chrysalids so I have my hopes up high :)

This was a book I've been meaning to read for quite a while, and it made an impression. The challenges of dealing with a world-changing event and of rebuilding everything while staying alive and preserving knowledge were to me the most important part of the story. And I must say I admired the way the ever-present love story was practical and discrete, although well build and not entirely un-romantic.

Thanks for sharing, will post to Merolia as soon as I get the chance.

On its way to Merolia. Happy Reading!

With me now! Wow, this is even more different than what I'm used to.

This was an interesting read. My only experience with end-of-the-world scenarios are some films and I'm not very fond of any of them. It was nice to see that this was much more than a possible script, the ideas as well as the thoughts of the protagonists played a major role. The story definately made me think and raised questions that are very difficult to answer. They actually make one feel uneasy. However, when it comes to the ideas and morals themselves, as represented here, I'm not sure whether they felt dated to me or simply in disagreement with my own beliefs. I did feel something protesting in me while I was reading. I would not have chosen this book on my own and this was an opportunity to discover something new. It was a bit slow at the beginning, but it caught my full attention soon, especially thanks to Josella!

This will be in the post tomorrow morning. Once again I apologize for the delay.

Not my cup of tea neither the sci-fi nor the end-of-the-world scenarios but I'm puzzled by the comments so I w'll give it a try.

I was reluctant to read it but glad that I did. I liked it from the first sentence. I liked the style. No desolation here but a practical way to go ahead.
Thank you for sharing !

On its way to the next. Enjoy !

Arrived this morning. Excellent choice!

I have vague recollections of The Day of the Triffids on the TV when I was a child but after the opening chapter in the hospital I remember nothing much else other than the noise they made - which was awful. This noise was with me throughout the book and and especially when David was recollecting how his friend thought they were 'talking'. I did enjoy this book and thought the descriptions of the collapsing towns were fantastic. I had to prepare myself for a bad ending.

On it's way in the roundabout.

This arrived today - I'm looking forward to reading it - thanks!

This is definitely my favourite book of the roundabout so far and nothing like I expected it to be having watched some dreadful TV versions of it years ago. I loved the style and the way it focused on the human element - how relationships can survive in a time like that; how much of human behaviour is simply conforming to societal rules and how the dilemma of the instinct for survival over more altruistic behaviour. I thought the character of Coker was really interesting - as were all the minor characters really as they reflected different facets of society. I'm very glad to have read it and The Chrysalids is definitely going on my wishlist!

Posted onwards :)

Great choice for the roundabout! I've read this book before and not that much time that I will read it again. So it will be send on shortly!

On it's way to Fifna.

My last roundabout book for this year, thanks for sending, marsala! I read this book more than 20 years ago, so I'll reread it. My husband would also like to read if that's OK. As it's been to everyone else already, it won't hold things up.

I really enjoyed revisiting this story! Time for it to travel to Oxford with me.

Taking it to the 2015 Bookcrossing Convention in Oxford.