Lord of the the Flies was the first book written by William Golding. It tells how bunch of British boys plane-crash on inhabited island and how they try to survive. It wasn’t too popular when it was first published but it has gained much attention and popularity on latter years.
I think I’d recommend this novel only if you are fond of dystopian novels. Because it is entertaining and Golding describes surroundings and what happens on island very well. And I think it is also a book you have to read at least once in your life. Though, I think most of us have read the book in school in some point.
Now, I didn’t like this book at all. I don’t know if it was World War 2 that made Golding to write such pessimistic book that focuses on how they basically want to maintain level of civilization but turn into savagery. Golding said once that “Wouldn’t it be a good idea
to write a story about some boys…showing how they really would behave”
Let me explain my dislike:
First of all, I didn’t like the characters.
There is Ralph, Simon and Piggy who create order and come up with intellectual ideas. Boys vote Ralph to be their leader. As if. Because here comes Jack , the opponent, who wants to dominate. Not like Jack does have any good ideas…oh wait yeah….the beast whom Jack turns into tribe’s common enemy and common idol. Then Ralph whom we liked in the beginning. Who was good leader. And kind person. Well…he happily goes to bloody pig-hunt and even bloodier dance afterwards and it turns out he is only behaving civilized because that was
what he was taught to do. What? Whereas, Simon, who is actually kind and who has civilization in some inner part of him recognizes the truth—that the beast does not exist in physical form on the island but rather it exists within each boy on the island. When Simon tries to approach the other boys to tell them about this, they attack him and kill him. Piggy…let’s not even talk about him. Somehow first you have hope in these boys and then you lose it. Would it really all turn to be so bad?
Then, I wasn’t also too fond of the themes. Basically it tells how cruel people are. Loss of innocence. Constant battle for power. Fear. Twisted wisdom. Religion. Weak versus Strong.
I’d give this book 5/10.
Your guide on How- To Read Lord of the Flies
1. It’s pretty short, doesn’t take long to read. It will keep your interest and it is entertaining. Something that “blows you away”.
2. It gets very disturbing, depressing, dark and violent, so be prepared for that. It describes how humanity crumbles down, school boys turn to brutes and whole “loss of innocence” concept.
3. Amaze yourself by how well Golding describes fire! Beard! Best ones!
4. I suppose if you want to, then book provides lots of symbolic meanings, psychology and other hidden agendas to think of.
5. You will be annoyed with ending. It was pretty ironic too.
“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.”
― William Golding, Lord of the Flies
I have to say whilst I liked your review, I really liked this book. It to me, really shows what the world could be like without order, although granted it was to an ultimate extreme.
Thank you for your comment! I liked this book too (in some way) but I found it too pessimistic
It’s one of my favourites!
I loved how it was beautifully written and structured,and filled with so much symbolism and so many allegories.
The names of the main characters all have a significance in Hebrew and you can interpret the story in a myriad of ways: it could be an allegorical story about war or human psychology.And the climax is exceptional! One of the most chilling in literature!
As for Simon’s murder,I think,together with Piggy’s subsequent death,it is in keeping with the theme of the novel.The deaths can be seen as a miniature representation of the harrowing death toll of the war taking place in the backdrop ,or could be seen as the result of giving way to one’s impulses.Either way,these deaths give weight to the Lord of the Flies’s words.
Thank you for your comment! :) I didn’t know of the fact that the names have significance in Hebrew, thank you for sharing that. I think I have to sometimes get back to this book and read it again. I agree that Lord of the Flies has various symbols and I do also think that perhaps without all the deaths it would not have been as significant but I still wish he had written less pessimistic, less dark story. I respect the book but it’s not in my most favorite list :)
It’s one of my favourites!
I loved how it was beautifully written and structured,and filled with so much symbolism and so many allegories.
The names of the main characters all have a significance in Hebrew and you can interpret the story in a myriad of ways: it could be an allegorical story about war or human psychology.And the climax is exceptional! One of the most chilling in literature!
As for Simon’s murder,I think,together with Piggy’s subsequent death,it is in keeping with the theme of the novel.The deaths can be seen as a miniature representation of the harrowing death toll of the war taking place in the backdrop ,or could be seen as the result of giving way to one’s impulses.Either way,these deaths give weight to the Lord of the Flies’s words.
Thank you for your comment! :) I didn’t know of the fact that the names have significance in Hebrew, thank you for sharing that. I think I have to sometimes get back to this book and read it again. I agree that Lord of the Flies has various symbols and I do also think that perhaps without all the deaths it would not have been as significant but I still wish he had written less pessimistic, less dark story. I respect the book but it’s not in my most favorite list :)
I have to say whilst I liked your review, I really liked this book. It to me, really shows what the world could be like without order, although granted it was to an ultimate extreme.
Thank you for your comment! I liked this book too (in some way) but I found it too pessimistic