'Lord of the Flies' explores the dark side of human nature as a group of boys become stranded on an uninhabited island. Stripped of societal norms, their descent into savagery reveals the inherent chaos within us all. As friendships fracture and power struggles ensue, a chilling battle for survival unfolds. Golding's chilling narrative forces readers to confront the fragility of civilization and the primal instincts that lurk beneath the surface. Can innocence endure in a world where fear and violence reign supreme?
By William Golding
Published: 2013
"Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us."
From A to Z, the Penguin Drop Caps series collects 26 unique hardcovers—featuring cover art by Jessica Hische It all begins with a letter. Fall in love with Penguin Drop Caps, a new series of twenty-six collectible and hardcover editions, each with a type cover showcasing a gorgeously illustrated letter of the alphabet. In a design collaboration between Jessica Hische and Penguin Art Director Paul Buckley, the series features unique cover art by Hische, a superstar in the world of type design and illustration, whose work has appeared everywhere from Tiffany & Co. to Wes Anderson's recent film Moonrise Kingdom to Penguin's own bestsellers Committed and Rules of Civility. With exclusive designs that have never before appeared on Hische's hugely popular Daily Drop Cap blog, the Penguin Drop Caps series launches with six perennial favorites to give as elegant gifts, or to showcase on your own shelves. G is for Golding. At the dawn of the next world war, a plane crashes on an uncharted island, stranding a group of schoolboys. At first, with no adult supervision, their freedom is something to celebrate; this far from civilization the boys can do anything they want. Anything. They attempt to forge their own society, failing, however, in the face of terror, sin and evil. And as order collapses, as strange howls echo in the night, as terror begins its reign, the hope of adventure seems as far from reality as the hope of being rescued. Labeled a parable, an allegory, a myth, a morality tale, a parody, a political treatise, even a vision of the apocalypse, Lord of the Flies is perhaps our most memorable tale about “the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart.”
William Golding (1911-1993) was a British novelist, playwright, and poet, best known for his debut novel, "Lord of the Flies" (1954), which explores the dark aspects of human nature and the inherent savagery within civilization. His literary style incorporates allegory and symbolism, often delving into complex themes such as morality, society, and the human condition. Golding received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983, with notable works also including "The Inheritors" (1955), "Pincher Martin" (1956), and "The Spire" (1964). His unique narrative voice and philosophical depth have established him as a prominent figure in 20th-century literature.
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Jeremy Perler, Howard M. Schilit, Yoni Engelhart
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“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us.”
Lord of the Flies
By William Golding
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