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A review by bethkemp
The Island by M.A. Bennett
4.0
Really enjoyed this 'how could 'Lord of the Flies' happen now?' extended thought experiment. If I were teaching LotF again, would definitely recommend to interested/higher ability students as a great side-project (only not mid- to lower-ability during GCSE teaching to avoid confusion in answers - would be good to discuss afterwards), but would rec as an engaging read anyway (and - heresy of heresies, expect most contemporary teens would enjoy it more).
I found the protag Link engaging, if not always likable - but definitely easy to understand/relate to. The other kids were exactly as enraging as they were supposed to be and I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. I know that some GR reviewers have expressed frustration with the balance between the 'before' of Link's school life and the island experience, feeling that there was too much of the school (since you know they're going to end up on the island), but I felt it was appropriately balanced for pace and tension and gave me the info and character development I needed for everything to work. I also really liked the organising conceit of Desert Island Discs. All in all, a good follow-up to Stags with linked themes of school bullying and how school hierarchies work and definitely recommended.
I found the protag Link engaging, if not always likable - but definitely easy to understand/relate to. The other kids were exactly as enraging as they were supposed to be and I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. I know that some GR reviewers have expressed frustration with the balance between the 'before' of Link's school life and the island experience, feeling that there was too much of the school (since you know they're going to end up on the island), but I felt it was appropriately balanced for pace and tension and gave me the info and character development I needed for everything to work. I also really liked the organising conceit of Desert Island Discs. All in all, a good follow-up to Stags with linked themes of school bullying and how school hierarchies work and definitely recommended.