LORD OF THE FLIESWilliam Golding
Personal Rating: 3/5
Yearly Count: 6
This classic definitely oozes with symbolism and I can certainly understand its use in the classroom. I found that my interest level was up during most of this one, yet in the long run my rating is "just okay".
While the story is intriguing...
"...a plane crashes on an uncharted island, stranding a group of schoolboys. At first, with no adult supervision, their freedom is something to celebrate. This far from civilization they can do anything they want. Anything.
But as order collapses, as strange howls echo in the night, as terror begins its reign, the hope of adventure seems as far removed from reality as the hope of being rescued..."
...and the concept is reasonable, I had hoped for a more complete non-imaginary read. At times I felt like I was going in and out of reality, which of course, could have been purposeful, but that's what I didn't like. I suppose in order to reach that symbolic level, another path was required.
Joy, on this one I agree with you. I loved it when it remained in the realism of the boy's struggles for survival and their internal battle for power, but once it got all surreal, I kind of lost interest. However, it is culturally significant, and I think people should at least try to read it.
ReplyDeleteGood review...I remember reading this many, many years ago, but can't remember how I liked it *smile*
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great on this challenge!
I didn't read this one in highschool but knew friends of mine who did read it. I'll get around to it eventually. lol
ReplyDeleteJoy, I have seen the movie and was completely fascinated! I would like to read the book some day...love your review!
ReplyDeleteJoy, this is one of those classics I read in high school and then more recently (maybe two years ago?). I definitely liked it more the second time around. So much so that I rented the old black-and-white movie (which was a bit disappointing). Good job on your challenge and the review!
ReplyDeleteWow, Joy, look at you go! Four books already and I've just finished one. I hope I make up for lost time in Feb.
ReplyDeleteI've never had an inkling to read Lord of the Flies. Your review peaked my interest, but I'm still leaving it off the list for the time being.
I'm having fun thinking about nonfiction books to read later in the year. Such fun.
I read it right after Lost came out (television leads to classic reading!) and I found it...also okay. I thought it was saved a bit by the surrealism, the boys themselves I mostly wanted to roast in a pit.
ReplyDeleteI've read this book a few times, and always enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteSome interesting allusions to LotF:
- It is claimed that the Survivor reality series was inspired by the novel.
- "Castle Rock" in the novel is the inspiration for the town of the same name that appears in several of Stephen King's novels.
- After Hurricane Katrina, a prominent New Orleans lawyer referenced LotF when talking about the living conditions in the city.
- An episode of the Simpsons parodies the novel.
- Of course, the tv show Lost.
:)
Kookie ~ "Realism/surrealism" that was exactly what I was trying to convey. :)
ReplyDeleteWendy ~ The operative word being "challenge"!
Lover of Books ~ It's just one of those that are referred to often and I missed it in High School.
Les ~ There's a movie? lol Again, my ignorance reigns.
Booklogged ~ Most of my challenge books haven't been too long. I LOVE non-fiction books, so it won't be a problem for me. I am really looking forward to it too.
Carrie ~ LOL!
Nyssaneala ~ I don't think I will read it again, but I sure appreciate the "allusions" you shared. Those are the exact reasons why I read it (and others like it) in the first place. Even though I didn't know about THOSE exact references. :) Thank you.
This is one of my favorite books but I did read it a trillion years ago back in high school. I often find that tv, movies and other books refer to this work...
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you didn't like this one, Joy. It was one of my favorite reads in high school, and since then I've reread it and taught it to a high school English class. I loved it and still do.
ReplyDelete.
Nessie ~ Wish I read it in high school. :)
ReplyDelete3m ~ It was just "Okay" for me; however, I think if I read it in high school I may have liked it more. If I were teaching high school, I think it would be a great book to talk about. For pleasure reading...it wasn't. :)