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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
This was a re-read. Enjoyed it more than ever. Perhaps 'enjoyed' isn't the right word. I appreciated its wisdom and its status as a masterpiece more than ever. Especially now that I'm a parent, I was deeply disturbed by this narrative and its assertions about humanity and the nature of evil. So chilling. So plausible. This isn't to say that I think William Golding accurately portrayed how boys would act when abandoned on a desert island. Many people hate this book because they don't find it plausible. They miss the point. This story is valuable because it adds to the debate about the nature of good and evil within humankind. It's a vehicle for exploring a theory about human nature, not an attempt to forecast actual behavior at such a small resolution. 10 groups of boys would act 10 different ways if they were actually left to themselves in such a scenario. I'm sure Golding would concede this point. Those who fault this novel at that level have completely failed to recognize its power.
I could write volumes about this book. Indeed, many people have. I'll leave my thoughts at this surface level, for now; I couldn't possibly do this story justice with the small amount of time and brain space I can afford it presently. I'm sure my own writing reflects my views on this story better than I can articulate them in an essay; THE ISLANDS AT THE END OF THE WORLD, is, after all, a story about a society suddenly isolated and abandoned.
I'll attempt to sum up my praise very succinctly by imploring: if you only read ten books in your life, please make this one of them; we should all be exposed to and aware of Golding's perspective on human nature in this masterful work, regardless of if we are ultimately inclined to support or reject his assertions.
I could write volumes about this book. Indeed, many people have. I'll leave my thoughts at this surface level, for now; I couldn't possibly do this story justice with the small amount of time and brain space I can afford it presently. I'm sure my own writing reflects my views on this story better than I can articulate them in an essay; THE ISLANDS AT THE END OF THE WORLD, is, after all, a story about a society suddenly isolated and abandoned.
I'll attempt to sum up my praise very succinctly by imploring: if you only read ten books in your life, please make this one of them; we should all be exposed to and aware of Golding's perspective on human nature in this masterful work, regardless of if we are ultimately inclined to support or reject his assertions.
A important read, and a timeless story of the slippery slope of power.
Not sure why, maybe it’s a time period difference but I found it so hard to follow the dialogue and lingo the children used.
Not sure why, maybe it’s a time period difference but I found it so hard to follow the dialogue and lingo the children used.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
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
dark
tense
My second time reading this book and I have to say it was considerably better than the first time. I actually really enjoyed it and was even considering giving it a five stars (though I guess I will save them for the third reread sometime in the future).
Meh.
I read through the story without reflecting on the possible other levels of meaning than the apparent surface story: a group of children shipwrecked on a desert island. Doing so didn't even cross my mind until I read an afterword by the social anthropologist A. L. Epstein in which he elucidated how the book is replete with symbolism, metaphors, and allegory.
And yes, when he put it that way, I realized, "Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?" It's not that I'd presumed that what I had read was merely a story of a children's adventure. What bugs me is that the story didn't stir my curiosity so that I would've tried to figure out myself what more there was to it than the obvious.
It was a really bland read – not boring, dry, or predictable, but not exciting, thought-provoking, or insightful in any way either. Reading it wasn't a waste of time, nor was time well spent.
I read through the story without reflecting on the possible other levels of meaning than the apparent surface story: a group of children shipwrecked on a desert island. Doing so didn't even cross my mind until I read an afterword by the social anthropologist A. L. Epstein in which he elucidated how the book is replete with symbolism, metaphors, and allegory.
And yes, when he put it that way, I realized, "Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?" It's not that I'd presumed that what I had read was merely a story of a children's adventure. What bugs me is that the story didn't stir my curiosity so that I would've tried to figure out myself what more there was to it than the obvious.
It was a really bland read – not boring, dry, or predictable, but not exciting, thought-provoking, or insightful in any way either. Reading it wasn't a waste of time, nor was time well spent.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another of my favorites. Unforgettable and haunting. A MUST read for anyone!