Lord of the Flies

  Even though Lord of the Flies is a frequent submission on any banned books list, many high school students are first introduced to this classic piece of literature in their freshman English class. Using very young protagonists set in a harsh, wild environment, author William Golding's disturbing and engaging novel addresses the themes of human nature and personal welfare, often resulting in violence and murder. Despite its controversial subject matter, it is often considered one of the best novels of the 20th Century. Lord of the Flies turned Golding into a household name, and although Lord of the Flies was his most popular book, he remained a successful author long after its publication. In fact, Golding was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983, where he remarked that he sought to “...illuminate the human condition in the world of today” through his novels.Published in 1954 in London by Faber and Faber, Lord of the Flies has sold over millions of copies worldwide. It has been translated into many languages, including Basque and Catalan. Evidently, even though the book focuses on the trials and tribulations of twelve young boys, the themes and archetypes resonate with all readers. 

 First printings of the book feature the iconic jungle theme artwork on the dust jacket. Careful observers will note that the stick figures of the boys blend almost seamlessly into the wild and untamed environment around them, which was undoubtedly a very specific choice by the artist. Because of Golding's fame and influence as a writer, signed first printings are of Lord of the Flies are quite valuable, sometimes pricing as high as $30,000.