Reviews

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

joaoseguro's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

compassthreads's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A group of elitist power hungry white boys are trapped on an island and chaos ensues. Kids die. 

markh892's review against another edition

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3.0

I can see why this is a classic and a common school read. It's not poorly written, I just didn't find it terribly interesting.

qtlady19's review against another edition

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1.0

I actually listened to this one and it was narrated by the author. I found it really difficult to stay interested in it as he seemed rather bored reading it. That aside, I honestly didn't see the point of the novel and it didn't open my mind to anything.

jkhossack's review against another edition

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3.0

Another original Dystopian YA before Dystopian YA was a thing. This is considered a classic and has much to teach regarding society and how the balance is so easily tipped. If you are a Hunger Games trilogy fan, or a dystopian fan in general, this is a must read. Collins pulled much from this tale for her trilogy. Since it is YA written more with adults in mind, it is a slower read so be prepared for that but do not let it deter you. The last 1/4 of the book is gripping.

mrwilliams's review against another edition

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3.0

2.5 | new title thoughts: “Sow and Again”, “I Conch Stand You,” or “Deliverance Jr”.

jes8284's review against another edition

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5.0

Excellent read in high school. Loved the themes about friendship and leadership.

bunnysoup's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

thatdecembergirl's review against another edition

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5.0

Alright, where to begin?

Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!


"Lord of the Flies" is one of those books which are deemed important, read by important (and often clever) people. So yeah. Like the vain person that I am, I picked up this book when I was feeling down and discouraged, hoping if I get this book, then maybe I'm not such a loser.

I ended up being haunted by this book.
And the boys in it.

"Lord of the Flies" is one of the staple reading materials in junior high or even high school (not my schools, but in Europe or America), to be analyzed and discussed under the guidance of a teacher. Looking at the (recommended) Reading Age on Amazon, it's said to be suitable for people of 12 years and up. However, some of the Introductions say that it's supposed to be 'a story about children for adults'. But I wonder if all that marketing and labeling is because William Golding is a British writer, and stories for children are mostly, if not always, presented in a very safe way there. Personally, I have no doubt that if this very exact idea and inspiration befalls a Japanese writer, "Lord of the Flies" would go straight to Shueisha's Weekly Shounen JUMP.

That's right.
This, is a shounen manga material, down to a T.
I said what I said.

"Lord of the Flies" has everything a good (and rather mad) shounen manga series you could ask for. All the fun and the following chaos. All the boys-only interactions. The power struggle. The friendship, the trust, and the betrayal. It's served on a platter. You'd get the levelheaded, leader figure in Ralph. The voice of reason and wisdom (with a pinch of cowardice, because in a crisis, cowardice and carefulness might save your life) comes in form of Piggy, who is also the main target of constant ridicule for being who he is. There is also Simon, a sensitive, kind-hearted boy, who falls prey to violence because kindness is a frail thing when humanity is failing.

And then there is Jack. The violent, always-raging, unstoppable force that stands head-to-head against Ralph named Jack Merridew. Jack is always fascinating to me. Golding may paint him not in a very good light (apparently he symbolizes dictatorship), but Jack's insistence, strength, and practicality make him a worthy opponent of Ralph the chosen leader. With all that being said, I'll conclude it again with this judgment: "Lord of the Flies" is a shounen manga material.

This book gets me thinking.
And thinking.
And thinking.

The boys will live in my head rent-free from now on.

ctencza's review against another edition

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1.0

I hated this book than I can describe. Bane of my existence.