Lord of the Flies
by William Golding
reviewed by Katie Pallares
In his novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding explores humanity’s inclination to brutality and chaos as opposed to civility and order. Lord of the Flies begins during an unnamed war, with a group of English schoolboys stranded on an island after a plane crash. At first, the boys try to establish a well-run society mirroring their own, with rules and expectations geared towards their rescue. The boys choose Ralph as their leader, whom Piggy guides with rationality and intelligence, and Jack and the rest of his choir as their hunters. Ralph decides that the group’s biggest responsibility is keeping a fire going at the top of the hill to emit smoke for passing ships to see. However, with the growing animosity between Ralph and Jack and the emergence of a fearful “beast”, the boys lose sight of their goal for rescue and begin to side with the often barbaric Jack. At first their aggressions start off small, such as teasing Piggy and disagreeing with one another, but as the storyline progresses, many of the boys follow Jack into ritualistic hunting, chanting, dancing, and even leaving a pig’s head as a sacrifice to the beast.
Golding uses a plethora of imagery to describe the island and the situation the boys are thrust into. He also uses metaphor to compare major characters and objects to ideas in society: Ralph symbolizes leadership and civilization as he tries to get the boys to understand that rules and order are important. Piggy, who often points out the obvious and criticizes the boys for their immaturity and foolishness, stands for intellect and rational thinking, and the conch that he and the boys treat with awe and respect symbolizes democracy. Jack represents savagery, selfishness, lust for power, and immorality, with his tribe of hunters painting him as somewhat of a dictator. Simon, generous, helpful, and kind, is a figure of morality and goodness, with many similarities with Jesus. The beast is a metaphor for the barbaric instincts within all the boys, and, finally, the pig’s head on a stick is a stark opposite to the conch, as it is a symbol of cruelty and evil. Using these metaphors, Golding equips the reader with a better insight to the boys as they try to form a society and are met with disfunction.
I definitely recommend this book, especially to those interested in philosophy and civilization. Golding’s recurring theme of the primal instincts of savagery is nothing less than gripping. I was surprised a the novel’s effect on me: I found myself concerned with the characters’ well beings . In his short novel, Golding managed to make me feel shocked, uneasy, and even mournful as the plot progressed. Lord of the Flies is a classic example of high quality literature, and ultimately unfolded as an interesting, thought-provoking story.
Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury
reviewed by Isabella Fraley
Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian novel written by Ray Bradbury, explores the significance of individualism within a factional grim and oppressed society. The story follows Guy Montag, a fireman in a post apocalyptic United States whose only job is to start fires, rather than diminish them. He does so in order to burn books, which have been prohibited by the government. Citizens resort to indulging in mind-numbing television, remaining oblivious to the vast quantity of knowledge they are being deprived of. Guy Montag is yet another victim of this ignorance until one evening he encounters a young girl named Clarisse. He is captivated by her strange and unfamiliar behavior compared to the people around him and soon, his entire outlook on the world radically changes. Montag begins to question the purpose of his very occupation as well as the philosophical boundaries that restricts the citizens of his society. Bradbury takes the reader on an intriguing journey as Guy Montag begins to formulate his own opinions, and recognizes the importance of wisdom and self expression. He fights back against the social pressure that once consumed him, and rebels against his government, betraying everything he once believed. Throughout the novel, the author shows Montag’s self improvement through vivid storytelling, serving as an example of how individuality defines who we are.
Intense and foreboding scenes result in jaw-dropping moments, leaving the reader caught off guard, yet yearning for more. As I read the novel, I couldn’t help but feel as though I was witnessing the quiet walks under the moonlight, or the blazing infernos of destruction right alongside the characters. The riveting plot and numerous action sequences keeps the reader engaged and unable to put the book down. I was amazed by Bradbury’s ability to communicate such complex ideas through an exciting tale of a man’s fight against society. This novel has touched me immensely, and I will never again take literature for granted, because serious consequences can result from societal conformity.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
reviewed by Anya Millard
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon is a fascinating look at mental illness, dysfunctionality, bravery, and impulsivity. The book tells the tale of Christopher Boone, a teenager with what is most likely high-functioning autism, and his journey to discover who killed his neighbor’s dog. Throughout the story, more and more is revealed about the secrets surrounding not just the dog’s seemingly random death, but Christopher’s own family. From his father’s mysterious aversion to their neighbor’s ex-husband to the neighborhood’s strange attitude towards Christopher’s dead mother, the web of secrets and lies that surround the life of the small block in Swindon, Wiltshire starts to unravel during Christopher’s once very small search for a poodle’s killer.
The book’s blunt descriptiveness puts every detail in perspective, and helps the reader truly see through the eye’s of the narrator and his rather analytical approach to the world, sparing no time for deep poetic thought. Consider his description of a holding cell: “It contained approximately 8 cubic meters of air. It had a small window with bars and, on the opposite side, a metal door with a long, thin hatch near the floor… There was also a padded bench” (Haddon 14). The almost stream of consciousness style in which the author presents the story also lends to understanding Christopher’s mind. “My name is a metaphor. It means carrying Christ… and it was given to St. Christopher because he carried Jesus Christ across a river. That makes you wonder what he was called before he carried Christ across the river. But he wasn’t called anything because this is an apocryphal story, which means that it is a lie” (p. 16).
I would highly recommend this book to anyone in search of a good mystery, especially one written in a unique way. I deeply enjoyed the book’s mystery, and found myself enthralled with the many twists and turns the book drops upon the reader. The mystery is never left without a personal touch from Christopher, however, and viewing it from his sometimes limited, sometimes much more perceptive view is something I found quickly becoming one of my favorite aspects of the text. The author never makes one pity Christopher for his condition, but instead encourages the reader to cheer him on and continue his search despite the adversity he faces. I have read few books that succeed so well on this front as this one.
All in all, this is a fantastic mystery novel that manages to explore many topics avoided by most authors, and truly brings the reader into the unexpectedly harrowing journey of a teenage boy discovering the complex world around him.
Just Listen
by Sara Dessen
reviewed by Cassandra Pichardo
The book was a 10/10 for me because the storyline was interesting, I could not stop reading it because I was so intrigued, and I feel it had many lessons about confrontation, honesty and confidence. The book explains how people who are completely different than you can make you learn and realize things you never knew about yourself or the people that surround you. From the book I also saw how you need to resolve issues to have closure, even though confrontation is scary at times it is very important to have the confidence to confront someone about a situation or any problems relating to you. The book also made me realize how many people see that people are in a difficult time and pretend they don’t see it because their not courageous enough. For example, in the story Anabel was accused of something she didn’t do and all her friends had turned on her. People saw how she was going through a hard time, and people pretended to not notice and didn’t even think about being a good friend/classmate and helping her, however Owen was the only person in the school who made an effort to talk and be friendly to her. The book taught me to do the right thing and be courageous even if people will judge you for it.
The Lovely Bones
by Alice Sebold
reviewed by Isabella Durand
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold is a fictitious tale that touches into the realities of morality, love, and life after death. This is the story of young Susie Salmon’s rape and murder during the 1970s. Susie is trying to figure out her new afterlife in her own personal heaven while watching over her family after her death. As life moves on in the small suburb of Pennsylvania where she is from, Susie is able to have a closer look into the lives of her friends, family, and even her murderer. As time progresses, we are able to see the maturity and lives of Susie and the people around her unfold. With the intriguing complexity that follows Susie’s life, it is hard not to feel a connection to this tragedy, but Sebold manages to provide anticipation, humor, and even happiness in the darkest of subjects.
With lots of imagery, such as the depictions of the school were Susie attended, the details of her room, the noises that Susie’s jingly cap make, and the description of her heaven, it is easy to imagine and depict the world that Susie was from. In this novel, Sebold also uses lots of allusions to different classic writers, such as Shakespeare and Poe in her work. For example, a scarf belonging to Susie’s mother ends up allowing another character to discover a secret of her own, referencing Shakespeare’s Othello while doing so. If you are familiar with these references, you will enjoy how the plot unfolds around them.
While reading this book, I enjoyed the connection I formed with the story and I didn’t want to put it down. At times, it made me cry and then a few pages later, I was smiling. I especially appreciate how Sebold is able to tackle a difficult subject and bring it to light without objectifying it or overdramatizing it. I also appreciate that she took some real life experiences and was brave enough to share a reflection of her story with the world. Overall, this novel is truly a touching and unique story.
The Knife of Never Letting Go
by Patrick Ness
reviewed by Hannah Huynh
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness is a science fiction novel full of suspense. Prentisstown, where the protagonist of the novel is raised, is different from other settlements. In Prentisstown, everyone’s thoughts could be heard in the continuous and never ending pouring of Noise. This strange town is comprised of only men who all have the disease known to them as Noise. The protagonist of the novel, Todd, is raised in this strange town where stories passed down for generations could possibly be all lies. One day after discovering something strange, Todd is suddenly told by his foster parents to leave Prentisstown and to never come back, but how can Todd escape the people chasing him down if they could hear all of his thoughts through his Noise?
The Knife of Never Letting Go is a coming of age novel that takes place in a town that has not fully come of age yet. Themes of the book include, manipulation, guilt, and choice.
This novel reflects the theme of manipulation because Todd was raised in a web of lies with the help of Mayor Prentiss. Todd struggles with guilt in this novel. An example of Todd struggling with guilt is when he tries to decide whether to Aaron or not. The theme of choice is reflected throughout the novel because the whole plot of the story is mostly based on choices made throughout the entirety of the book. When Todd flees Prentisstown, he has no more rules to follow and must make the right decisions to guide the rest of his journey with his dog, Manchee, and his new companion, Viola. Another example of the theme of choice being reflected in the novel is when Todd says, “A knife ain't just a thing, is it? It's a choice, it's something you do. A knife says yes or no, cut or not, die or don't. A knife takes a decision out of your hand and puts it in the world and it never goes back again” (Ness 84). When Todd says this, he is saying that everything is based on choice and that what you do is up to you to decide. Ness also uses symbolism. One example of a symbol is the knife. Todd has three different phases in how he sees the knife he was given. Todd first thinks that having the knife is bad. He then goes on to think that the knife makes people do bad things. In the end, Todd realizes that the knife is in his control and that he must take responsibility for all the actions done with the knife. The knife is very symbolic in the novel and also shows Todd’s character development through the different ways he sees the knife. The narration of the novel is in first person which is from the point of view of protagonist, Todd. This type of narration allows us to get to know the character well, but we also know the character’s response to all situations which creates more mystery and suspense.
