The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

Given my recent run of disappointment with books I’ve been rereading, this was quite the refreshing change! As muscular as I remembered, and convincing, it was yet better written and more complex than I’d given it credit for in my rememberings. And that ending! Once, I’d believed it incurably optimistic: now, I’m still convinced of its valor, but see better the layer of grimness that colors it. A terrific book for fans of sci-fi and, I suppose, dystopian fiction, with well-thought-out philosophies. The gender dynamics occasionally feel antiquated (if not outright condescending, particularly and ironically in Coker’s rant against the learned helplessness of women) but I imagine it was quite progressive for its time. A true classic, sci-fi/horror for adults, and miles better than most of the stuff being churned out today.