Children are innocent. Or are they?
Lord of the Flies explores this theory in the most entertaining plot ever. Sure the language sounds a bit boring and confusing, but that's the catch. Amidst the big words, long sentences and too descriptive paragraphs, lie the clues and hints which lead you to the most amazing and unpredictable climax of all! After you read this book, you'll never look at people the same ever again.
The story is about a group of 6-12 year old boys, crash-landing on an unfamiliar and beautiful island. The main character, Ralph, looks up to find himself on an exquisite island with sparkling water, glorious mountains, a glittering pool and gentle trees. He then spots a plump boy, about his age, wearing glasses and approaching him. The boy then asks him where the others are, but Ralph has no interest in him whatsoever. The sudden realization that he was alone without any grown-ups overtakes him as he strips down and jumps into the dazzling pool. The boy seems hesitant to swim with him, as his Auntie forbid him because of his "ass-mar" (asthma). Ralph then discovers a peculiar, white rock which seems hollow inside. The boy tells him that it's a "conch" and that he can make a sound when he blows. Ralph blows and messes about a few times. But finally, a huge sound escapes, seeming to echo over the island and shake the mountains and the ground to its depths in a deep and gratifying manner. He blows it repeatedly, and soon, the beach is full of faces of young boys peering at him. That's when the story starts and the kids' attempt to create a working society.
But, just like any book, it has its problems or crises which the boys need to conquer. First, it's fire to alert any grown-ups, then it's meat, then shelters, then a viscous "Beastie". All these problems merge into something eerie and downright terrifying.
The further you read, the more unbelievable, eerie and horrifying it gets. Until the end, which leaves you feeling confused, terrified and the feeling that nothing will ever be the same (if you actually take the time to read and dive into the plot and not just skim it and go back and read it again like I did).
You may not agree with how things turned out (I STILL FRICKING DON'T, LIKE-- WHAT THE HELL?!), but an experiment conducted by Muzafer Sherif, a psychologist in the 1950s, brought together a group of boys around the same age and left them on an island. The experiment, called Robbers cave, proved the same results predicted by William Golding (author of Lord of the Flies and damn he's good).
Summary of 2 sentences:
A group of 6-12 year old boys get stranded on an island. They gather around and try to survive till help comes and establish a working society, but it all goes horribly wrong and most of them turn into savages.
Recommendation for reading 'Lord of the Flies': 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕 (I can't find a star emoji on my laptop, so 5 pizzas will have to do)
Age rating: 13+
Pages: approx. 225
Chapters: 12 (there is no 13th chapter, I tried)
Reading time: an average reader will take 3 hours and 49 minutes if read at 250WPM (Words Per Minute)
Additional: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnnZ6y1HPqI
My favorites (SPOILERS OF THE BOOK AHEAD):
Favorite line: "And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air was the true, wise friend called Piggy." (PLEASE, LET ME LIVE. I CRIED AND AM STILL CRYING WHENEVER I REMEMBER OR READ OR HEAR THIS LINE-- PLEASE--)
Favorite scene: When Jack and his savages threw the rocks and Piggy died with his brain and blood coming out as the 6-12 year old children witnessed and caused it and also when Ralph said that Piggy was a "true, wise friend".
My comments:
Please-- I got so overwhelmed after finished the book, I had finished it on the bus, and I knew for a fact that no one knew what Lord of the Flies was. So I fricking called my dad just so I could scream at him for recommending me this and installing trauma in me forever.
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