Books have been a part of my life, for as long as I can remember. I was an avid consumer of books when I was younger, and I spent much of my childhood reading for fun. Some books are simple efforts that I can read quickly, always delighting me with their accessibility. I've also tried complex efforts such as 10:04 and A Clockwork Orange, as those books mess with language and what it means to structure a novel. I've read a plethora of books throughout my life, and I look at them as a way to escape the world. Some books have impacted me in a huge way, and one book that does this for me is William Golding's Lord of the Flies.
The writing of the book is magnificent. Lord of the Flies demonstrates Golding's utter control of the page, as his style is spellbinding. Much of the book is full of formal language, with intelligent writing that has complex vocabulary. The book is commanding, and it uses a serious style to describe the boys' adventures on the island. Everything in Lord of the Flies is symbolic of greater ideas, and Golding incorporates evocative descriptions that stick in my mind. Lord of the Flies is absolutely a book that can sweep me away with its symbolism, and I'm constantly transported into its world.
Lord of the Flies also has an outstanding atmosphere. Whenever I read Lord of the Flies, I always feel this impending sense of doom. Even from the beginning of the book, there is a noticeable terror that washes over me. Golding infuses the boys' adventures with an ominous aura as he describes their lives on the island, and I always get the feeling that terrible events will happen. Parts of Lord of the Flies are sinister with how it describes the interactions of the boys, and the book has a sense of menace to it that permeates the novel. Lord of the Flies is truly one of the most disturbing books that I've read, as I become horrified with the progressively dangerous actions that the boys commit. Even in my college years, I still get unnerved by Lord of the Flies.
Also, I love how the characters are developed in Lord of the Flies. Jack is simultaneously an unlikeable and compelling character, as his bullying and rise to power helps him to stand out. He represents the uglier side of humanity, and I sympathize with Ralph as he tries to maintain order among his peers. I loved how Lord of the Flies creates a contrast between order and chaos, and it was disheartening to see the loss of morality in the boys. Piggy was another character that stuck with me, as his peers' mistreatment of him reminds me of people from my own life. Lord of the Flies has great characterization, and the boys connect with me instantly.
Lord of the Flies demonstrates the qualities that I look for in a book. Golding is supremely talented at his craft, as his eloquent style is drenched in meaning and thoughtful ideas. Golding's writing is so captivating, and he brings a chilling element to the events of the book. I want to look away due to the horrible acts that the boys commit in the book, and there are times where Lord of the Flies is more distressing than any horror movie. Characters have their own personality as well, and they have distinct ways of interacting with others. Words can't describe how much I love Lord of the Flies, and it's truly one of the best books that I've ever read.
