Since several weeks, I was listening in to this masterpiece from William Golding. I picked this one for two reasons :
- Availability of audiobook in my library
- Excellent reviews on Goodreads
A plane carrying young boys crashes into an unoccupied island.
Only a few boys survive. They assemble and conclude to form their own society.
Afterwords like a civilized society, they agree upon a chief through popular vote. Thereon they follow the leader’s actions and decisions.
The leader establishes laws and assigns responsibilities to the big boys.
The primary tasks were hunting, erecting shelters and maintaining a fire. Everyone starts to contribute as per their ability.
But, this pace disrupts soon. Our little group disintegrates into two factions with conflicting interests. On one hand; there are savages. On the other, reason. Both gangs have a boy who wants to dominate.
“Which is better–to have laws and agree, or to hunt and kill? (Lord of the flies)
They become savages ready to kill each other. What happens next, and what these little boys get reduced to will leave you sad and horrified.
“Maybe,” he said hesitantly, “maybe there is a beast.” […] “What I mean is, maybe it’s only us.” (Lord of the flies)
The novel exhibits the extent to which a man can stoop to stay in power. He forgets all rules, principles, and morals when his position is threatened. At this point, he can even resort to the wiliest methods to achieve his goals.
I give this novel 3/5. I didn’t love the book as a whole, but I can understand why it’s in top recommended lists.
