Books

First Edition, First Printing: Fine/Near Fine. Beautiful bright near fine plus condition clean book with a magnificent near fine vibrant original unclipped dust jacket. A superb copy of this book with stunning ruby red cloth boards with sharp corners and no edgewear. The binding is tight and square. Strong, unfaded white titles to the spine. The end papers have one delicate scripted owner name and date of 1954 (in the year of publication), and otherwise are in perfect condition, with no bookplates and no bookstore stamps. The internal pages are clean, bright and flat, internally appearing as fresh and unread but very faint foxing to the end papers. This original First Issue Dust Jacket with the summary of "Lord of the Flies" on the front flap, (later editions were changed to blurbs), is bright and vibrant in color and received only a tiny touch of restoration to the upper tip of the jacket spine. The jacket presents in magnificent near fine/fine condition and withOUT any of the typical discoloration or sunning to the spine. The dust jacket maintains the strong vibrant colors with no other rips, no chips, no edgewear, no fading, no foxing, and no stains. The dust jacket is NOT price clipped and is priced 12s 6d net. A stunning dust jacket, scarce in this condition. Originally published in 1954, The Lord of the Flies was named to Modern Library's 100 Greatest Novels List of the twentieth century. In the early 1960s cultural commentators noted that Lord of the Flies was replacing Salinger's Catcher in the Rye as the bible of the American adolescent. Since then, this masterpiece has established itself as a modern classic. "This brilliant work is a frightening parody on man's return to that state of darkness from which it took him thousands of years to emerge. Fully to succeed, a fantasy must approach very close to reality. Lord of the Flies does. It must also be superbly written. It is" (The New York Times Book Review). A very handsome copy of this scarce title in superb condition. Presents extremely well on the shelf. ADDITIONAL IMAGES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Please see our ABE store for other landmark classics.

"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding is a gripping novel that explores the complexities of human nature and societal constructs. The story begins with a group of British boys stranded on a deserted island due to a plane crash. Initially, they attempt to establish order and form a civilization by electing a leader, Ralph, and adhering to rules aimed at survival and rescue. Ralph's leadership contrasts with the antagonist, Jack, who embodies a desire for power and domination. Jack challenges Ralph's authority and establishes his faction, emphasizing hunting and primal instincts over the more rational approach of maintaining a signal fire for potential rescue. As the boys struggle to maintain order and cooperate, tensions rise, revealing the fragility of societal structures. The symbolism of the conch shell, used to maintain order during assemblies, diminishes in significance as chaos prevails. The boys gradually descend into savagery, influenced by fear, the lure of power, and the absence of adult authority. The symbolic presence of the "beast" on the island sparks paranoia and superstition among the boys. This fear of the unknown incites irrational behavior and leads to tragic consequences, as the inherent darkness within human nature becomes more apparent. Simon, a morally upright character, tries to comprehend the true nature of the "beast." His understanding, however, comes too late, as a frenzied dance during a storm leads to his mistaken identity as the beast and his tragic demise at the hands of the other boys. The situation worsens as the power struggle between Ralph and Jack intensifies. The once-unified group fractures, leading to violence and the pursuit of dominance. Eventually, the boys are rescued by a naval officer who arrives at the island, witnessing the chaotic state they have descended into. "Lord of the Flies" serves as a powerful allegory, symbolizing the breakdown of societal norms and the inherent evil present within humanity. Golding's narrative depicts the loss of innocence, the dark potential within individuals, and the delicate balance between civilization and savagery. The novel is a thought-provoking commentary on the human condition, raising questions about the nature of power, morality, and the thin veneer that separates order from chaos. It remains a haunting portrayal of the human psyche and the destructive forces that can emerge in the absence of societal constraints.