Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good book...
Review: William Golding's Lord of the Flies is a very well written novel set on a desert island during war times. This novel faces many issues that include growing up and maturity, working together, lost innocence, survival, and instinct. All of these themes are tackled by a group of schoolboys whose plane has been shot down during a war. The description of the condition of the boys and the island scene is very vivid. I was able to form a mental picture of the scenes easily. Left to fend for themselves, the boys go through many experiences to survive. Through these many grueling experiences, they must learn to hunt, cooperate with one another, fight for power among the group, and learn to adjust to living in the wild alone, without protection. In this book, the savage instinct of humans is portrayed, at times becoming a bit too graphic for me. However, all humans have instincts, therefore it was necessary to show these savage instincts to receive the full effects of being alone in the wild fending for yourself. I liked how the boys in this novel, through their ups and downs, learned to work together to make their own kind of civilization, which fit their needs accordingly. I would recommend this book for people of any age who enjoy novels that entail survival, which was the main theme of this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Read
Review: this was a well thought out and over all interesting book. it shows more than just how the boys manage to survive out in the wilderness all alone. it also shows how society treats one another and that we put our own selves first all of the time without taking the time out of our busy schedules to help someone in need. There are also a lot of symbols in the book that represent more than they actually stand for in the story. This was a book that was 'short sweet and to the point' with a bit of grossness that might make your skin crawl.
Rating:
Summary: Good classic, but confusing
Review: For a long time I couldn't fit names to characters... about halfway through the book, I finally got it straight. That might be just me, but I don't think so. Other than that, however, the book is wonderful. It's actually an easy read; I sat down and read the whole thing in two days. I love the symbolism given by the 'lord of the flies', and the rivalry that the boys end up in is very realistic. All in all, a very reccommended book.
Rating: 
Summary: Weird
Review: I had to read this book for literiture class I hated it. my teacher rattled on about the symbolizm in this book.It was so boring and kinda gory.Plus no girls, wasnt they susposed to repopulate the world after nuclear war so not possible wih only boys. The one thing i found interesting was how they acted like wild animals after they had been on the island a while.that was kinda cool.But it was to confusing
Rating: 
Summary: A timeless piece!
Review: This seemingly short book about a group of boys marooned in an island has more to it than simple adventures. It does not only shows how each boy (of varying ages) responds to his predicament, but also deals with man's nature & the society through symbolisms.It is inate in us to differentiate good & evil, & this characteristic is further strengthened by the society's norms. Ralph represents our logical side which is continuously governed by reason ("Piggy"). Both Ralph & Piggy embody our continuous search for civilization & order. However, also inate in us, is a brewing desire to do what we really want, no matter how unjustly or incorrect it is. Jack portrays this aggressive behavior. In an ideal environment, it is common for men to have desires but these can only be manifested & carried it out if they comply with society's set rules. However, this is not the usual case. The catastrophe faced by the boys only magnifies society's imperfections. These ills cannot be easily cured on a superficial level. The success or breakdown in society can all be traced to man's inner stability.
Rating:
Summary: Incredibly dull
Review: In my opinion, this is one of the most boring books ever written. Sure, Golding is trying to make a point about power's effect on social stability and structure, but it is lost in the mumbo jumbo style that he writes with. (The movie is also a pathetic depiction of this cliché-ish message.) There are so many books out there that deal with this same topic, and because of this common subject matter, a novelist needs to be truly inventive to create a real masterpiece. This book should not be ranked anywhere near the top 100 novels on the Modern Library Association's list of the best novels of the 20th century.
Rating:
Summary: Lots of Christian symbolism
Review: Golding's work is often theological in intent and this book is no exception. "Lord of the Flies" is the translation of the Hebrew "Beelzebub", meaning the devil; chapter titles "Beast from Water", "Beast from Air" are from the book of Revelation. I just say this because some readers on this site, like the many publishers who turned in down, think that it's a children's book. It isn't (and why schoolchildren are forced to study it is beyond me). In summary, a great achievement and darkly characteristic of the English post-war crisis of confidence (that also gave birth Orwell's 1984). Personally however, I think these days we have moved on from such a pessimistic view of human nature - hence only four stars.
Rating:
Summary: Lord of the Flies is a well crafed story!
Review: I have read this book 4 times, and it gets more and more excting each time i read it. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, short adventure. This book is one of the more intresting picees of litteratre I have read. This book is full of symbols relating to todays culture, and i thank my english teacher for making me read this book a 4th time. This book deserves a place on everybody's shelf!
Rating:
Summary: Great quick book that delves into the nature of man
Review: This is a great quick book that delves into the essential nature of man. The setting is a uncharted island where a plane full of schoolboys survive a plane crash and end up on an island with no adults. As the pages turn, you will find their newly learned civility wither away and vanish into wildness. Great psychology study as well. Even if you've read it before years ago as I had, you'll enjoy your return trip to the island.
Rating:
Summary: "Haunting..."
Review: Could you ever imagine a group of young boys killing, murdering, and slaughtering? Lord of the Flies is a haunting, dark, morbid and gruesome tale of just that; a tale of humanity and innocence lost and becoming more primal is a sweeter release than any would like postulate and one which is indulged. A small band of boys from a questionable arrival, land on an uncharted island and attempt to create their own society which eventually spirals out of hand into complete disintegration. The line between a savage animal and a civilized person becomes unclear as the boys explore their own humanity. Golding cleverly represents the themes of society and civilization with its characters. Characters who represent the innate primal barbarism in human beings such as Jack, the hunter; and Ralph, the leader, who represent the civilized aspect of society. What becomes real and what doesn't blinds the boys as the Lord of the Flies, a decaying smiling sow head, becomes an almost like-god with its place of honor and recognition. The head becomes so real to them, they no longer see the reality. Everything and everyone represent something, a theme, symbol, etc. Beautifully written and a novel everyone should read. Its tale of the decline of civilization and its moral and ethical implications is subtle. It boggles the mind and makes you think.
|
