War of the Worlds- The most influential British PA novel ?

[Matthew]

Recently found myself listening to this....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXTEUM4OF7Q

And it got me thinking about how wider an influence over global culture this novel had. When you think of the impact of the Orsen Wells production in the 30's, the numerous film adaptations and the whole phenomena around the Jeff Bridges Musical, then I cannot think of a other British PA themed novel that has had such a massive impact.

Now I would not label it the greatest British PA novel ( for me that has to be 'Day of the Triffids') but in terms of the wider influence over not only PA fiction but science fiction as a whole, then I can think of nothing that comes close.

[edwin]

You may be right in terms of influence. Can't think of anything else although novels existed before, Journal of the Plague Year by Defoe, After London by Jefferies, The Last Man by Shelley etc. Earth Abides by Stewart might have had more influence in the fifties though.

Yes, why is Triffids the top PA novel? For me it has a sort of golden glow despite the grim plot.

[Matthew]

Aug 10, 2015 16:01:01 GMT edwin said:

You may be right in terms of influence. Can't think of anything else although novels existed before, Journal of the Plague Year by Defoe, After London by Jefferies, The Last Man by Shelley etc. Earth Abides by Stewart might have had more influence in the fifties though.

Yes, why is Triffids the top PA novel? For me it has a sort of golden glow despite the grim plot.

I think I go for 'Day of the Triffids' for a variety of reasons. I can remember being shaken when I first read the account of the pub landlord who says his wife had taken their kids to bed and then turned the gas on and that he would be joining them when he was drunk enough. It was that sort of small detail that both horrified and hooked me and I guess triggered the whole 'what if' bit that is crucial to enjoying all fiction and PA in particular.

I also liked the ending. Setting it five years later was absolute genius.

For me it is such an incredible work of imagination that it will remain a book that has been a massive influence on my life and in terms of PA I can only really compare John Christopher.