When the Tripods Came

The way the Tripods influence people's minds feels both creepy and believable. I'm curious what inspired this approach to their power.

Their innocence mixed with the harsh reality created a powerful emotional impact. Was that intentional or just how it unfolded for others?

The dystopian setting amplifies the stakes, but I wonder if the author considered other time periods or was the post-invasion choice deliberate for impact.