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A failure when it was first published in 1954, William Golding's Lord of the Flies has since been heralded as one of the most important novels ever published. I agree. Yes, this terrific allegory about young boys stranded on a desert island, is required reading in most high schools. It's held up as an essential story of man's inhumanity to man, of man vs. nature and as a primer on the failure of civilization to win out against base instincts. The book is studied for its stereotypes (the demonic Jack, the accommodating leader Ralph, the intellectual loser Piggy) and mirroring of the adult world. But it's also a rousing adventure story that can be enjoyed for its heightened plotting and disturbing, inevitable action. It's difficult not to be moved by this story. We root for specific characters and yearn so much for their safety. But we've read this novel before, so we know we're only going to be frightened and disappointed at the tragic fate that await some of the boys and their lack of insight. But we're mostly upset by its truth; these boys behave just like us. They are us. And it's not a pretty picture. Must reading.>>> READ THE OPENING PAGES OF LORD OF THE FLIES HERE.
1 comments:
Damn, you've been busy, Fred! I jumped right to this review when I saw it because, as you mentioned, it was required reading in my 10th grade English class, but was one of the few required reading assignments that I actually enjoyed.
This book was to my 15 year old self what Cormac McCarthy is for my 25 year old self. Cool review.
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