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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
very incoherent. I hated this book in high school and this re-read only validated my old opinions lmao
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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:
Yes
4 stars = Fantastic and easy to recommend.
“Maybe there is a beast…maybe it's only us.”
I have put off reading this allegorical classic for years because a book about children running amuck did not sound like something that would be interesting. Imagine my surprise to see that these boys act exactly like their adult counterparts would, holding up a mirror to humanity, and the reflection is shameful. It is an profound reminder of the statistical fact that most humans are of average to low intelligence, and can easily be swayed to go against their own interests by following a brash, cruel coward for the lol’s. Humans are especially prone to follow authoritarian dictators when things are unstable or society is in chaos, seemingly incapable of learning from history. That never ends well, in fiction or in the USA real life.
“The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away.”
This parable was not at all what I expected, having realism instead of silliness, earnestness versus frivolity. What it reveals about human nature makes for a terribly disturbing and depressing read. Not everyone is a selfish, savage beast, too blinded by their impulsive desire for immediate gratification to see reason, but far too many people are. Similar to the real world, the book leaves you disheartened as you watch others make dreadful decisions, knowing that calamity will ensue as a result, and being utterly helpless to get them to listen or change. This resulted in my appreciating the symbolism and lessons more than the actual reading experience. The discomfort felt by the reader, however, is testament to the author’s talented ability to create an evocative atmosphere.
“What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?”
I read this one immersively, a combination of the ebook and audiobook which was narrated by the author. He gives an OK performance, peppered with distracting sniffles, but I loved the short introduction he gave before starting the story. He mentions that girls have asked him why he only included boys in the novel, which he answers by explaining mostly because that is the only experience he has lived and fully comprehends. But he also mentions that he thinks girls and women are foolish to believe in equality when they are and have always been superior. That’s a mighty fine answer, Sir Golding.
“I believe man suffers from an appalling ignorance of his own nature. I produce my own view in the belief that it may be something like the truth.”
-----
First Sentence: The boy with fair hair lowered himself down the last feet of rock and began to pick his way toward the lagoon.
Favorite Quote: They understood only too well the liberation into savagery that the concealing paint brought.
“Maybe there is a beast…maybe it's only us.”
I have put off reading this allegorical classic for years because a book about children running amuck did not sound like something that would be interesting. Imagine my surprise to see that these boys act exactly like their adult counterparts would, holding up a mirror to humanity, and the reflection is shameful. It is an profound reminder of the statistical fact that most humans are of average to low intelligence, and can easily be swayed to go against their own interests by following a brash, cruel coward for the lol’s. Humans are especially prone to follow authoritarian dictators when things are unstable or society is in chaos, seemingly incapable of learning from history. That never ends well, in fiction or in the USA real life.
“The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away.”
This parable was not at all what I expected, having realism instead of silliness, earnestness versus frivolity. What it reveals about human nature makes for a terribly disturbing and depressing read. Not everyone is a selfish, savage beast, too blinded by their impulsive desire for immediate gratification to see reason, but far too many people are. Similar to the real world, the book leaves you disheartened as you watch others make dreadful decisions, knowing that calamity will ensue as a result, and being utterly helpless to get them to listen or change. This resulted in my appreciating the symbolism and lessons more than the actual reading experience. The discomfort felt by the reader, however, is testament to the author’s talented ability to create an evocative atmosphere.
“What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?”
I read this one immersively, a combination of the ebook and audiobook which was narrated by the author. He gives an OK performance, peppered with distracting sniffles, but I loved the short introduction he gave before starting the story. He mentions that girls have asked him why he only included boys in the novel, which he answers by explaining mostly because that is the only experience he has lived and fully comprehends. But he also mentions that he thinks girls and women are foolish to believe in equality when they are and have always been superior. That’s a mighty fine answer, Sir Golding.
“I believe man suffers from an appalling ignorance of his own nature. I produce my own view in the belief that it may be something like the truth.”
-----
First Sentence: The boy with fair hair lowered himself down the last feet of rock and began to pick his way toward the lagoon.
Favorite Quote: They understood only too well the liberation into savagery that the concealing paint brought.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mercifully, I never had to read this book for school because it would have likely ruined my love of reading permanently. Unfortunately, I read it by choice with a fully developed frontal lobe, and it is the worst thing I have ever read by a wide margin.
Holding’s greatest sin is being objectively and morally wrong. His entire thesis boils down to two main ideas: humanity is fundamentally barbaric and destructive, young men are inherently violent and antagonistic, or both. To blindly propose that the constant downward spiral of events were inevitable and that there was no chance of salvation from within the group on the island is insulting. It completely disregards humanity’s ability to unite, to adapt, and to overcome obstacles. Reducing young men to only one singular facet and claim it as a monolithic destructive force is lazy and dangerous.
If this pathetic narrative was not insulting enough, the book ends by having the representation of “society” looking down on the boys in disgust for their actions, as though this supposed society would not have been the one instilling them with these virtues and would not be guilty of far worse atrocities. Building up this false truth over the course of an entire novel just so you can look at the audience and say “isn’t this shameful,” as if your fabricated moral superiority is worth anything. If I was stranded on a deserted island, I would rather freeze to death in the night than look at this book long enough to throw it on the campfire.
Holding’s greatest sin is being objectively and morally wrong. His entire thesis boils down to two main ideas: humanity is fundamentally barbaric and destructive, young men are inherently violent and antagonistic, or both. To blindly propose that the constant downward spiral of events were inevitable and that there was no chance of salvation from within the group on the island is insulting. It completely disregards humanity’s ability to unite, to adapt, and to overcome obstacles. Reducing young men to only one singular facet and claim it as a monolithic destructive force is lazy and dangerous.
If this pathetic narrative was not insulting enough, the book ends
medium-paced
★★★★☆ (4,5/5)
Este verano he decidido animarme a leer algunos de mis eternos pendientes, así le llegó el turno a «El señor de las moscas». Esta es una novela que me ha sorprendido en muchos aspectos, he sufrido por momentos e inevitablemente me ha dejado con el corazón en un puño.
Tras sufrir un accidente aéreo, una treintena de niños y adolescentes se ven obligados a sobrevivir en una isla desierta. Al verse liberados de la autoridad de adultos deberán tomar responsabilidades, organizarse para sobrevivir con el fin de ser rescatados. Toda la calma y felicidad que les aborda en un principio, irá disolviéndose y tornándose un caos.
El autor nos muestra la faceta más salvaje de estos niños que entran en una lucha de poder y se van transformando paulatinamente en la peor versión de sí mismos. Es de esta manera que nos veremos inmersos en una historia dura, en la que se nos muestra una alegoría de la naturaleza del ser humano.
A pesar de ser un libro que considero excepcional también tengo que admitir que durante la mitad de éste he sentido que se volvía repetitivo y no avanzaba la trama. Asimismo no se pierde en detalles insignificantes o que carezcan de importancia.
En general he sentido semejanzas con la obra maestra de Orwell, «Rebelión en la granja». Nos muestra la barbarie pero también la bondad y la pérdida de inocencia a la que se ven sometidos sus personajes. Considero que es una novela para analizar con calma y de la que se pueden sacar muchas reflexiones y enseñanzas.
Este verano he decidido animarme a leer algunos de mis eternos pendientes, así le llegó el turno a «El señor de las moscas». Esta es una novela que me ha sorprendido en muchos aspectos, he sufrido por momentos e inevitablemente me ha dejado con el corazón en un puño.
Tras sufrir un accidente aéreo, una treintena de niños y adolescentes se ven obligados a sobrevivir en una isla desierta. Al verse liberados de la autoridad de adultos deberán tomar responsabilidades, organizarse para sobrevivir con el fin de ser rescatados. Toda la calma y felicidad que les aborda en un principio, irá disolviéndose y tornándose un caos.
El autor nos muestra la faceta más salvaje de estos niños que entran en una lucha de poder y se van transformando paulatinamente en la peor versión de sí mismos. Es de esta manera que nos veremos inmersos en una historia dura, en la que se nos muestra una alegoría de la naturaleza del ser humano.
A pesar de ser un libro que considero excepcional también tengo que admitir que durante la mitad de éste he sentido que se volvía repetitivo y no avanzaba la trama. Asimismo no se pierde en detalles insignificantes o que carezcan de importancia.
En general he sentido semejanzas con la obra maestra de Orwell, «Rebelión en la granja». Nos muestra la barbarie pero también la bondad y la pérdida de inocencia a la que se ven sometidos sus personajes. Considero que es una novela para analizar con calma y de la que se pueden sacar muchas reflexiones y enseñanzas.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character