Has anyone read it. Is you have I would like your opinions on it.

very good book, though extremely sadistic.

it's the book I have to do for my GCSE's so any more specific comment would be great.

I remember Lord of the Flies from high school. I did not enjoy the book. I felt Golding was extremely heavy handed in his approach to the story. I put this in my top three books I was forced to read in high schoool that I didn't enjoy or find value within. The other two were Heart of Darkness and The apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.

If you are "doing" the book for your studies, I would advise you read it and perhaps a few critiques on it. There are many on-line.

Things I remember:

- names are very significant in the story. Right down to the meaning of the name or who they were in the bible. Simon, Roger, Piggy, Ralph, Jack etc.

- The whole book is loaded with symbolism, most of it very unsubtle. All due respects to Golding though, the art of allegory was still a new concept in his times.

- Book is a product of its time. Cold war, fear of atomic war, questioning of authority and the base evilness of man.

- There is another book written in the 1800's that many believed Golding's literally stole the concept from. I can not remember the title or author though. "On the Beach" pops into my head but I think that is not it.

- Some of Golding imagery is amazing. I especially remember the choir described as a black serpent when the boys arrive.

Does this help?

I remember reading that book. I did not like it just because of the way they treated Piggy. They pushed him out of their society because he was different, and because he couldn't do every little thing by himself. Also for Simon. They killed him in a violent act when they were not in their right minds when they did it. From an emotional and personal point of view, I didn't really like it. But from a psychological and societal point of view, it is quite astounding. Thinking of humans without the aid of parents the teaching of manners and such, what kids can become, and grow up to be.

Black serpent was not the choir, but the belt as it was ripped from the boy's shorts. The decision to be nude (or nearly nude) was the first that any of the boys made on their own. The second was to elect a leader. Though I could see the choice to assume it as a religions piece (considering some teachers) I would argue very adamantly that, though it references religion, it is very much NOT a religious piece. In fact, it is not read in many schools because there is so much religious backlash about the actual occurrences in the book. It is more of a discussion of law and order and the twisted turns it can take.

On a side note, Stephen King LOVES this book. He wrote an entire book about it (Hearts in Atlantis). He calls it "the book that changed his life". So if that doesn't tell you anything about the type of literature you'll find inside, be prepared. The writing quality is FAR above average. In fact, so much so it may be difficult to read for anyone who doesn't do so a lot.

Anywho, all this comes to my recommendation. TAKE YOUR TIME WITH THIS BOOK! If you aren't putting it down purely to absorb the last two pages that are so incredibly in depth (every two pages are that way), you'll be putting it down because the previous two pages are so monstrously disturbing (such as the Great Fire which is only mentioned once in the book but kept me awake the evening I read about it). You do not want to scarf this down it a night or two. Take your time, and you will find this book more than worth the effort.

On the Beach was about a nuclear apocalypse, don't think thats what you mean Alacrity.


I remember that book. Everything is symbolism.

Thank you all for your help. You might of helped me on my way to 'A' for english lit.

ok..i'm convinced to read it now.