Monday, January 29, 2007

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

  • Audiobook
  • Publisher: Listening Library (Audio); Unabridged edition (October 11, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307281701
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307281708
  • List Price: $29.95
  • I finished listening to this audiobook on Jan. 28
  • Number 41 on the list
So, okay, I liked this way better than I thought I would. I must also say that it was a nice story to hear out loud, for the most part. Golding himself read it, and his stodgy British old man voice lent the story something. The other reason it was nice to hear out loud is because it's incredibly descriptive and I was able to listen to those heavily descriptive sections without getting bored, as I have a suspicion I may have done were I reading it.
The book is basically an allegory, and I really dug all the symbolism. It is also very repetitive, which I believe I noticed more because it was read out loud. Some phrases that really stick in my head are "I got the conch!" "My specks!" and "Kill the pig/beast, cut it's throat, spill it's blood!" I find that I keep wanting to say silly things in Piggy's voice in conversation, as though I am not the only person I know of who has listened to this particular audio enjoyment.
I would also like to note that I guessed the ending and I was very pleased when I was correct. That rarely happens, as you know, because I do not often try to guess. I would have liked a little more follow-up at the ending, but I was not dissapointed.
The beginning and end of the recording have some of Golding's thoughts on the books. He talks particularly about why the inhabitants of the island are solely male, and he says something that I really liked: "I don't know why women are always trying to act equal to men when they aren't: they're superior" hehe, funny stuff, Mr. McPompous Accent. So, on the whole, this one is my favorite from the dreaded list so far.

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