One of my goals is to read 1000 books. In order to keep track of the books and stay on task, I’m going to post my thoughts about the books that I read. Here is the first one. To start, let’s discuss why I picked this particular book.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7624.Lord_of_the_Flies
At work one day, my colleague kept dropping the term “ass-mar” (which, honestly, I had never heard before). He looked at me with such shock 😮 and horror, that I said, “Alright, I have to go read this.” In other news, I’m unsure how I missed this book in school. Maybe it wasn’t an option on our reading list. 🤔 I remember having to memorize the opening to the Canterbury tales, “Whan that April with his showres soote. The droughte of March hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veine in swich licour…” I’m still not sure what I can do with those memorized lines except post them here for clout. 😅
Well, back to the book at hand; I decided to listen to the audiobook version, which I found on YouTube here. The experience was A LOT. Like a WHOLE LOT. The audiobook was recorded by a teacher and his mentor, and their performances really brought the characters and the story to life. At times, I thought I was on the island. They also included side effects and music which really helped draw me in to the story.
***Spoiler alert***
I was not, at all ready for the emotional rollercoaster. From the beginning of reading this book, I felt a deep sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. At times, I even noticed a metallic taste in my mouth. I can’t recall a time I’d had the metallic taste, but having a sense of dread in my stomach in anticipation of a negative “thing” on the horizon is common.
Lord of the Flies is a book about the collapse of civilization and the primal instincts that take over when there are no rules.
I appreciated the development of the characters and the impact of an adultless island on their mindset. Essentially, I think the story shows how much our minds shape our reality. Once there was mention of “the beast,” fear was unleashed and the boys started to succumb to their basest instincts. I like to think this devolution wouldn’t happen today, but I don’t think this is such a remote possibility.
Simon and Piggy didn’t have to go out like that, but I did appreciate the slow build and character development. I also appreciated the increase in the violence demonstrated by Roger throughout the book. Initially, he was found stalking one of the younger boys, likely with malicious intent, and was stopped prior to committing any deeds. Near the end of the book, he graduated to being the one that caused Piggy’s death. I also liked the prominent role of the conch as order. It was a small item, but the meaning given to it by the boys was huge and rapid. With the destruction of the conch, all rules went out the window and chaoe ensued.
The next to last scene with the entire island searching for Ralph was the hardest part for me to listen to. I didn’t know what to expect as an outcome and found myself feeling so bad that Ralph was only trying to maintain order and this is how it ends for him. 🎶”All that work and what did it get me? Why did I do it?”🎵🎶
I’m glad I read it, even though it wasn’t easy to stomach. This book really made me think about human nature and what happens when order breaks down. It’s intense, it’s dark, and it stays with you. Now, I wonder what it would be like to have an island of all women. 🤔
Audience thoughts and questions?
I would love to hear from you all. Let me know what came up for you while reading The Lord of the Flies and if there were any aspects that resonated or felt unsettling for you.
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