Reviews - Lord of the Flies: (International export edition)

15.6k reviews for:

Lord of the Flies: (International export edition)

William Golding

3.48 AVERAGE

sleppyclouds's review against another edition

3.5

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lettie_burton's review against another edition

5.0

I really liked this book. The symbolism, forshadowing. I almost cried when Simon died. Read it. But don't read it. Read it for the symbolism, not the plot, although the plot itself is enticing.

akosaa's review against another edition

5.0

Very hunting. The end quote was beautiful. #Piggyischief

mateimre's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark reflective tense medium-paced

laurenlanz's review against another edition

4.0

“The thing is -- fear can’t hurt you any more than a dream. There aren’t any beasts to be afraid of on this island.”

Haha. Hahaha. Spoiler alert: the beasts are themselves.

Lord of the Flies, as I’m sure you’ve already heard, follows a group of boys (aged 6-12) after they survive a plane crash. They’re left stranded on an island to fend for themselves in what is ultimately a study of human nature.

Having to annotate this book for school came with a lot of scepticism on my part. I usually expect classics to be slow paced and often uninteresting, with messages that take all of my brain power to decipher. What I didn’t anticipate was to become so enamoured with the downward spiral of several young boys as they attempted to piece together some semblance of civilization.

There were several instances where I looked up from the book and stared at the wall, mouth agape, overcome by horror at the madness ensuing. The last chapter had my heart racing with fear for Ralph. Its almost funny how in my haze of panic, the conclusion hit me with the force of a brick.

While William Golding’s writing is far from the most spectacular I’ve read, it’s simplicity fit this story like a glove. The narrative made for an easy time progressing through the novel, while certain scenes and one liners stuck with me all the way through.

Having expected something mediocre, I’m beyond pleased with what Lord of the Flies delivered. If someone told me a classic would have me crying at some points and physically panicked at another I likely would have laughed. I can’t laugh anymore, because damn if this wasn’t a journey.