Published in: 1954
Pages: 336
Edition read: Paperback
Book description:
William Golding’s compelling story about a group of very ordinary small boys marooned on a coral island has become a modern classic. At first it seems as though it is all going to be great fun; but the fun before long becomes furious and life on the island turns into a nightmare of panic and death. As ordinary standards of behaviour collapse, the whole world the boys know collapses with them- the world of cricket and homework and adventure stories- and another world is revealed beneath, primitive and terrible.
My review:
What the actual hell did I just read? What even…
Ok. So. Children are marooned on an island following a plane crash, which apparently had only one adult on board, the pilot, whom they find at a later date and he did not survive. That is the unlikely premise, and then these children basically screw around for a few months on this island, failing to get rescued on numerous occasions because they suck at basic things like keeping a signal fire going, or building adequate shelter, or having a proper leader. Then they end up killing a number of the children and it all culminates in a hunt to the death for the previous leader by the crazed new leader because… they are children?
I’m sorry, but how is any of this believable? I understand they are children, but there are 12 year olds in the mix and they are smarter than this book gives them credit. They would be little barbarians, sure, but to this extent? No, I do not think so.
I didn’t like any of the characters, I couldn’t understand the motivation of most of them, I was happy when the book ended. I got so angry when the silly kids decided to burn the island to the ground because that seemed like a good way to hunt the child they were foolishly hunting – what the hell are you doing? That’s short term thinking you morons. I’m getting so angry just thinking about this book, it infuriated me so.
Final review:
Lord of the flies rating: 3/10
Would I re-read it? Er no. Not unless I needed to get really angry at something and was searching for motivation.
Who would I recommend it to? Anyone wanting to get angry? I dunno. I couldn’t think of anyone who would enjoy this book, to be honest.
Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/526.Lord_of_the_Flies