So, how many times do you think Stephen King's read Day of the Triffids? The bit with Bill and Josella getting ready to leave London, having a final dinner in a lavish, abandoned apartment, was echoed clearly in The Stand, when Larry Underwood and Rita Blakemoor meet in NYC and prepare to escape the city. Heck, the biggest difference is very obviously a matter of the times in which they were written - in 1978, you get pills and sex. Granted, Josella is a hell of a lot stronger woman, as written, than poor, doomed Rita, but go read the two bits and you'll see what I mean.
Not to mention that the whole of King's novel Cell is essentially a reworking of Triffids. For my money, he didn't even try to hide it.
Ah, Stevie, I love ya', but at least attempt to disguise your plagiarism.
5 comments:
I thought Cell, the only King work I had read since Gerald's Game, was highly derivative. Just wasn't exactly sure what it was derivative of. Good call.
I didnt know until I read Triffids, then it was obvious.
I love this book. I gave a copy to one of my favorite college students when he graduated. He took it with him when he went to teach English in South America. Partly because he was bored and had nothing else to read, and partly because he like it so much, he read it three times. It's nice to know that it still attracts younger readers.
Definitely one of the best so far, honestly. Not too bogged down in heavy science, not too throw-away with the dangers and adventures.
Thanks for the tip on the, uh, source material. I just finished The Crystal World by J.G. Ballard (talk about some beautiful writing!) and now I'll give Triffids a try.
I've been reading King since--oh, around 25 years ago I guess. And there are some things I love and some that make me roll my eyes (and sometimes (at least want to) throw a book across the room). I thought Cell was pretty meh. But not as bad as Bag of Bones.
Your blogs are so terrific. Thanks for putting your thoughts out there.
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