Book Review by Karthik Sanjaykumar -- Lord of the Flies by William Golding

 Book Review by Karthik Sanjaykumar

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

I remember hearing about it: all the honors level kids reading about the very sophisticated book,

“The Lord of the Flies”, so I decided why not, let's tackle it. When I settled into my reading book

with William Golding's "The Lord of the Flies," I was psyched for a classic that has sparked

debates and discussions for decades. By the time I turned the last page, my feelings were a

tangled mix of admiration and frustration. There's no doubt Golding crafts a compelling,

thought-provoking narrative about the darkness lurking in human nature, but sometimes, his

storytelling felt like wading through a thick, tangled jungle of descriptions.

Let's talk about the good stuff first. Golding's central theme — the descent of civilized boys into

savagery — is both chilling and fascinating. The way he uses the isolated island setting as a

microcosm for society is nothing short of brilliant. He makes you question the very foundation of

civility and the thin veneer that separates order from chaos. His characters, from the rational

Piggy to the charismatic and anarchic Jack, are vividly drawn, each embodying different facets

of human nature. Their transformation, or in some cases, the revelation of their primal selves, is

compelling and disturbing in equal measure. The conflict, the allegories, the symbolism — all

these elements make "The Lord of the Flies" a masterclass in exploring the darker sides of

human nature.

But here's the rub. Golding's love for heavy, ornate descriptions often interrupts the narrative's

flow. I found myself trudging through long-winded passages that describe the jungle, the sea,

the beach — basically, every scenic detail of the island. While I appreciate setting the scene and

atmosphere, there were moments when I thought, "Okay, I get it, the island is

lush/vast/ominous. Can we move on now?" This overindulgence in imagery sometimes slowed

the pace to a crawl, making me itch for the story to pick back up.

Another issue is that some of the symbolism feels a bit too on-the-nose. Golding doesn't just

nudge you towards the metaphors; he takes you by the hand and walks you through them. It's

effective, sure, but a subtler touch would have left more room for personal interpretation and a

more immersive experience as a reader.

Despite these gripes, it's impossible to dismiss the impact of "The Lord of the Flies." It's a book

that stays with you, haunting your thoughts long after you've put it down. It pushes you to

confront uncomfortable truths about society, authority, and what it means to be inherently

human.

In conclusion, "The Lord of the Flies" is a mixed bag. While the depth of its insights and the

potency of its themes are undeniable, Golding's tendency to dawdle over descriptions can test

your patience. It's a book I'd still recommend for its intellectual rigor and its provocative,

enduring questions about human nature, but perhaps with a word of caution about the

occasionally plodding prose.