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34 pages 1 hour read

Pincher Martin

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1956

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Book Brief

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William Golding

Pincher Martin

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1956
Book Details
Pages

216

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Rocky Islet • 1940s

Publication Year

1956

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Pincher Martin by William Golding, set during World War II, tells the story of Royal Navy lieutenant Christopher Hadley Martin, who washes up on an inhospitable islet after his ship sinks. While initially focused on his physical struggle for survival, the novel delves deeply into his spiritual and metaphysical journey as he battles to maintain sanity while awaiting rescue. Descriptions of sexual violence appear in the book.

Mysterious

Dark

Unnerving

Challenging

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

3.7

2,612 ratings

55%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

William Golding's Pincher Martin is lauded for its intense psychological depth and vivid narrative, painting a harrowing picture of survival and human psyche. Readers praise its inventive storytelling and rich symbolism. However, some find the dense prose and abstract themes challenging and less accessible, which might deter casual readers. Overall, it's celebrated for its literary significance.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Pincher Martin?

Readers who enjoy psychologically intense and existential narratives will appreciate William Golding’s Pincher Martin. Fans of Albert Camus’ The Stranger or Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness will find thematic resonance. This novel appeals to those intrigued by the human psyche, isolation, and the struggle for survival.

3.7

2,612 ratings

55%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

216

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Rocky Islet • 1940s

Publication Year

1956

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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