Reviews with content warning for Violence - Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies has an interesting premise, but I felt that some of the pacing and character development left a little to be desired. For a reader in 2024, I find the vernacular to be a little dated at times. Despite these critiques, I can see why it is considered a classic as the premise alone transcends any one period in time. Its exploration of human nature and the tenuous nature of society/civility through the lens of isolated, deserted children is one that I believe is quite thought-provoking and is deserving of a read.

Content Warnings

lambclown's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Content Warnings

youmns's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Man, what a rough read. I think I'm too old to read this classic, which is required reading in grade school (5th? 8th? 9th?). The idea that children could or would go feral like this isn't entirely impossible, but it is very, very hard to think about and feels unlikely.

How far are we, really, from descending into savagery?

Content Warnings

yu_'s review

Go to review page

adventurous dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

I had to read this book for school and I barely got through it. The first thing that comes to my mind is that there are white boys in the book, and every comment about them is on how they look (example is Piggy). The end is gripping, but by then you already get bored of it so much you don’t really care anymore.

Content Warnings

anomadicnarrative's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I understand that it's a classic but it was a very depressing one to begin with. Towards the end, I skimmed through the entire 50 pages because I couldn't bear it any longer. It's dystopian in nature and highlights human behaviour at it's worst. If you want a taste of it, this book is for you!

Content Warnings

andoriachan's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

hjb_128's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

hdcamp's review

Go to review page

challenging dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

So...this book is just about how people are basically terrible, right?

There was some interesting symbolism, and I think there was some political messaging that went over my head. I think the level of nervous energy (and not that good nervous energy, you know?) I had while reading this was too high for me to glean any enjoyment from it. And I get that maybe enjoyment isn't the purpose of this story, but if the point of literature is to give us some insight into the beauty of God's creation,* then maybe this story isn't "literature" worth reading. I'm sure there's value in shining a light on the darkest parts of humanity, but to what end? If we ignore redemption, mercy, or forgiveness, what is there? Perhaps the

naval officer rescuing them at the end is a kind of mercy, and the tears that Ralph sheds are a kind of healing (although for what I'm not sure, since he didn't really commit any wrong),

but if this is the case, it's glossed over and the spotlight lingers on the young men's violence and animalistic natures. This was disheartening and violent and bleak - just not for me. Good thing I was reading One Piece at the same time, or I'd probably have gotten stuck in a pit of despair somewhere.

*This is a very personal definition, so if you disagree it's probably best to just ignore my super hot takes. I said what I said. You don't have to agree.

24 Classics in '24: 1/24

Content Warnings

More...