logo

46 pages 1 hour read

William Golding

Lord of the Flies

William GoldingFiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1954

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
William Golding

Lord of the Flies

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1954
Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Deserted Island • 1950s

Publication Year

1954

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

13-18 years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, during a wartime evacuation, a group of young boys crash onto a remote island and attempt to govern themselves, led initially by Ralph, who aims to maintain order and rescue efforts. Tensions arise as Jack challenges Ralph's leadership, leading to a divide and descent into savagery as the boys’ fear and paranoia grow, eventually culminating in chaos. This book contains themes of violence and death involving children.

Dark

Unnerving

Suspenseful

Mysterious

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

2,982,303 ratings

61%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

14%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

William Golding's Lord of the Flies has been met with significant acclaim and criticism. Praised for its incisive exploration of human nature and societal breakdown, the novel's dark themes and complex symbolism resonate with many readers. However, some criticize its bleak outlook and disturbing content, finding it unsettling and overly pessimistic.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Lord of the Flies?

Readers who enjoy Lord of the Flies by William Golding typically appreciate psychological and sociological themes in literature. They are likely fans of classics that explore human nature and survival, such as George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. They are curious about moral dilemmas and the dynamics of power.

4.1

2,982,303 ratings

61%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

14%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Deserted Island • 1950s

Publication Year

1954

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

13-18 years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.