Is Lord of the Flies a good book?

Question

I have to read it before school starts and i have had many friends complain that they hate the book.

Answer 1

It's not an enjoyable book to read, but it is an interesting book.
It was written about a group of boys who were being flown out of harms way during a wartime (WWII, I think). The plane they are on crashes, the pilot doesn't live and they are left to try to take care of themselves. How they develop their "society" is the crux of the book. Can they do it any better than the adult society which is (although only lightly touched on) the ground of the story, or will they, too, begin to fragment and to war amongst themselves.

In the beginning, the characters of those who become the leaders is the most important thing. How the boys become two groups and the moral issues they face and how they face them is what the story is about.

It was written, I believe, because of the War that was encompassing the world. Golding was trying to work out why we get into wars.

His answer was the same as that of Henry Kissinger's--it is a moral problem in the heart of man.

So, is it is a good book? It is a worthwhile book to read. It was written in a different age, but we face the same dilemma of war over and over again, and in that respect the book is important for today as well.

I really think the best way to read it is to go off somewhere quiet by yourself, without other distractions, and try to read it in one or two sittings at most. Especially consider the character,
Piggy. He is perhaps the pivotal character of the whole story.

It's not a hard book to read, but I hope that understanding something about it will help you and encourage you so it won't seem such a chore. It is a compelling story. I'm curious as to why your friends hate it so much.

Answer 2

As you are "required" to read Lord of the Flies, the question of whether it is a "good" book is moot. Apparently, your teacher considers Lord of the Flies a book worthy of reading.

Before you read the book, I would suggest you take some time and check out available web sites discussing Lord of the Flies.

Read the book, try to find an older version of the movie, read the book again, and keep a notebook of your thoughts about what you read. Put yourself and some of your friends alone on an island. What would you do?

Teachers who assign Lord of the Flies are usually wanting students to consider the symbolism and societal aspects of this book.

Even though the characters in the book are all young boys, girls will also be able to visualize themselves and other girls as the main characters.

Don't confine your reading to what other people consider a "good" book.

Answer 3

It was a great read for me. The novel had a multiplicity of meanings within it that it really depends what you bring into it really. But personnally the book gave me some good insights into human nature, i had thought the book to be quite an accurate observation on life and that heart of darkness phase in our youth that we go through, though less dramatically for most of us. Especially loved ( shocked rather ) by the ending, i'm so glad that boy was rescued.
Good book overall.......try reading it first

Answer 4

It's an alright book. The main reason for my loathing it is that my teacher made us write not 1 but several papers analyzing the book for symbolism and theme. By the time I was done with all the writing, I couldn't stand the book anymore.

Answer 5

I loved it.
It is not possible to start reading without prejudice or expectation, but don't let yourself be influenced (too much) by that.
You need literary interest, background knowledge to understand it and to find and appreciate the things that are not so obvious. But even without them the novel is an exciting piece to read. So don't be afraid of it!
Reading about its context, background, the motifs and symbols it works with could help you in interpreting the work.
Enjoy it!

Answer 6

Well....we read it in my English Honors class and at first everyone was into it and then, when they got to the end..everyone was like....what?!?! They didn't like the ending..I think that's why a lot people don't like it and because of how weird the book seemed to be. We also watched the movie.

Answer 7

This book is a classic! Great read. Forget what your friends think - read it a form your on conclusions.

Answer 8

It's a great book. Very disturbing, though. I vaguely remember the movie and I think it was Ok.

Answer 9

the book is good, i had to read it before i had started freshman year

Answer 10

Nope. But the movie wasn't to bad.