A review by rivermaxfield
The Inheritors by William Golding

challenging reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Golding's ability is phenomenal and on full display in this book. To so thoroughly imagine and realize in prose the vastly different minds of our relatives, Neanderthals, takes immense skill. As a reader, I was engulfed in this way of thinking, viewing the world through strange eyes. It is definitely challenging and slow going; the narrator is unable to formulate thoughts out stories in the way we are used to, so much interpretive work must be done to understand the plot, and the world portrayed. But this challenge is well worth it, especially since Golding’s writing is so poetic. This novel expertly brings to life a unique premise in an enchanting way.