I finished William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' yesterday. It is not difficult to figure out why some authors stand out distinctly as compared to the rest of the crowd - Lord of the Flies is a testimony to this fact.My initial reaction to the story was a stunned silence at the shocking violence and depravity that a human mind is capable of.
The story revolves around a group of British school children (the exact number is never known) who survive a plane crash and land on an uninhabited island. There are no grown ups and this causes merriment initially and the boys form their own method of governance. Ralph is chosen as the chief by the boys and his main aim is to find a rescue ship. Jack, an equal to Ralph has a mind of his own. Piggy is a shortsighted, fat, physically weak but intelligent boy who supports Ralph in his endeavours. Gradually, differences crop up between two main characters Ralph and Jack (who goes on to become a successful hunter and is power hungry ) and slowly the order collapses with Jack building his own tribe and enticing the rest of the boys to join the tribe. The book goes on to describe the incredible evil that crops up from these seemingly normal kids and finally ends in a rescue, depicting the loss of innocence and the ability to believe in goodness of the people.
The book is incredible in its style of narration and the build up of the story. It leaves you with a feeling of helplessness, in that, completely succeeds in hitting home the point.
However, there are loopholes that cannot be so easily ignored. Although it can be excused for being allegorical in nature, certain aspects seem too contrived to be believed - for example, the survival of kids with no adults aboard the plane, the age group of the children (the 'littleuns' being six and 'biguns' about twelve). One cannot really imagine such young children hunting pigs, killing them and roasting the meat (may be I am too skeptical about their capability)
All in all, the story is dark and completely gripping.
Rating: 4/5
3 comments:
well, well, well... here is a blog of book reviews full of books that i should but don't QUITE want to read. however, after reading your review of Lord of the Flies, i AM going to read it, soon. waiting to hear what you have to say about Life of Pi.
(i am engrossed in Rushdie's The Enchantress of Florence).
oh, and thanks for dropping by!
:-)
Welcome priya, I love your blog! Creativity at its best. I am wondering why would you NOT want to read these?
Currently I am with Kamala Markandeya's 'A Handful of Rice'. Sure next I shall pick up Life of Pi.
I just read this too...and LOVED it. It was slow at spots and that is my only complaint. Golding is an amazing writer that is for sure!!
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