Author:
Format: Mass Market Paperback, Paperback
Publisher: Berkley Pub Group
Published: Jul 1959
Genre: Fiction - Classics
Retail Price: $12.00
Pages: 207
William Golding's classic tale about a group of English schoolboys who are plane-wrecked on a deserted island is just as chilling and relevant today as when it was first published in 1954. At first, the stranded boys cooperate, attempting to gather food, make shelters, and maintain signal fires. Overseeing their efforts are Ralph, 'the boy with fair hair,' and Piggy, Ralph's chubby, wisdom-dispensing sidekick whose thick spectacles come in handy for lighting fires. Although Ralph tries to impose order and delegate responsibility, there are many in their number who would rather swim, play, or hunt the island's wild pig population. Soon Ralph's rules are being ignored or challenged outright. His fiercest antagonist is Jack, the redheaded leader of the pig hunters, who manages to lure away many of the boys to join his band of painted savages. The situation deteriorates as the trappings of civilization continue to fall away, until Ralph discovers that instead of being hunters, he and Piggy have become the hunted: 'He forgot his words, his hunger and thirst, and became fear; hopeless fear on flying feet.' Golding's gripping novel explores the boundary between human reason and animal instinct, all on the brutal playing field of adolescent competition. --Jennifer Hubert
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I didn't have the audio book, so no sound problems here. As an English teacher, I love this book. It can be disected so many ways and there is just so much there... it is a classic for a reason :!
I am in a college prep english glass at Juniata High School, and we are required to read 2 british novels a marking period. I chose this one just because I thought that the title of it made it sound bizarre. I really enjoyed reading this book it is now one of my favorites!!!