My Rating:
I don't know what I was expecting from this book. I remember hearing people talking about it and had in my head that I wasn't going to like it. But, my word, could I not put it down! Golding's first novel tells the story of a group of (fairly posh I think) schoolboys who survive a plane crash on an island. At first they try to instil some kind of order and routine, with the two natural leaders taking on different roles. However, what happens next is the result of fear, lack of discipline and not just a little bit of something akin to primitive savagery.
Lord of the Flies is a truely excellent read, disturbing in just the right way to make it incredibly intriguing, the characters were well developed and the descriptions of the island, the darkness and the loneliness were exquisite. When the boys were having fun (admittedly only at the beginning of the book) I laughed with them, but later in the story Golding managed to convey an atmosphere that had me feeling nervous and a little bit unsettled and I definitely cried at the sad bits.
I was so surprised by this book, and in such a good way. I originally gave it 4.5/5, but I've just bumped it up to 5. I think my main criteria for giving full marks is for a book that I could settle down on the sofa with a cup of tea and the dog curled up behind my knees, only to look up several hours later to find a full mug of cold tea and the dog pawing at the door because he needs a wee. This was that book.
So, who should read this book? Well, anyone who likes an intriguing tale of adventure, mixed with a little bit of horror, plenty of emotion and wonderful description.
Next book: Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett
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