The novel describes a plane with a group of children flying from home to the south to evacuate in a future nuclear war. The plane was shot down and the childrens cabin landed on a deserted coral island like a paradise. At first, the children worked together. Later, because they were afraid of the so-called "beast" to split into two factions, they ended up with the autocracy advocating instinct overwhelming the democracy paying attention to reason.

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William Goldings 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, Ralphs 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 islands wild pig population. Soon Ralphs 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." Goldings gripping novel explores the boundary between human reason and animal instinct, all on the brutal playing field of adolescent competition. --JenniferHubert

From School Library Journal
Grade 10 Up?A solid tool for the study of William Goldings classic novel. Sixteen critical selections from both journals and books are arranged in chronological order by date of publication from 1961 to 1993. The examined topics, length and completeness of entries, and depth of analysis present a wide range of material. Articles selected by Bloom have not previously appeared in works easily accessible to most readers. There is little duplication with "Contemporary Literary Criticism" (Gale) or with "British Writers" (Scribners); both cover less ground. Clarice Sers Readings on Lord of the Flies (Greenhaven, 1997) includes two of the same critics, but Blooms book has complete articles rather than excerpts. While some readers may struggle with these selections, the book is an excellent resource.? Gail Richmond, San Diego Unified Schools, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
A plane crashes on an uninhabited tropical island during wartime. A group of schoolboys--the sole survivors--form their own society, an experiment that quickly descends into chaos and death in Goldings classic allegory. Listening Library recently rereleased this historic 1976 recording, and the timing could not be more apt. As CNN keeps viewers on edge with the latest military overtures in the real world and the reality TV show "Survivor" offers escape in the form of backstabbing, bug-eating "tribal" rituals, LORD OF THE FLIES gives the reader a lucid and chillingly objective mirror to our modern society. William Goldings narration is as impartial as his work, yet his grumbly, grandfatherly voice, complete with mid-sentence sniffs and swallows, is intimate. Included on the tapes is background on how he came to conceive the book and a brief rebuttal to critics about its meaning. M.M.O. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine