One of the most influential novels of the 20th century, William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is presented as a unique Folio Society edition, illustrated by Sam Weber and introduced by Ian McEwan.
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This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grown-ups come to fetch us we’ll have fun
Following a plane crash, a group of schoolboys is left marooned on a tropical island. Their initial attempts at co-operation soon founder and, as the veneer of civilisation wears away, their primitive instincts are unleashed, with horrifying consequences. Nobel Prize-winning author William Golding’s powerful and disturbing novel is given a startling new interpretation in this illustrated edition. Award-winning artist Sam Weber explores the themes of anarchy, camaraderie and the dark side of human nature in a series of six extraordinary illustrations, while his striking binding design depicts a pivotal scene in the book.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Bound in printed and blocked cloth
Set in Minion
248 pages
Frontispiece and 5 colour illustrations
Plain slipcase
9˝ x 5¾˝
A publishing phenomenon
First published in 1954, Lord of the Flies has been translated into every major language, selling over 25 million copies in English alone. The classic childhood fantasy of a carefree existence without adult intervention has captured the imagination of older and younger readers alike; the descent into anarchy revealing a horrifying but inevitable truth about human nature. In his fascinating preface, Booker Prize-winning author Ian McEwan relates his own relationship with the novel; its discovery having such a profound effect on his 13-year-old self that he remembers, ‘the double thickness cardboard covers’ and that ‘it was the kind of book that crackled when first opened’.
A snapshot of civilisation
‘Beautifully written, tragic and provocative’
E. M. Forster
Golding was a schoolmaster for many years and, as one reviewer observed, knew ‘exactly what boys are like’. With their initial faith in ‘grown-ups’ and their attempts to cling to the familiar class system, the boys are instantly recognisable: Piggy is the voice of reason, whose advice is tragically ignored; Ralph is the egalitarian who tries to enforce order, building shelters and organising rescue signals. His authority is destroyed by Jack, the hunter, whose lust for blood propels the novel towards its brutal climax. The story is made more compelling still by Golding’s use of imagery: the conch shell, fragile sign of democracy; Piggy’s glasses, symbol of technology, and the Lord of the Flies itself – the terrifying beast that haunts their dreams and originates from within the boys.
ABOUT WILLIAM GOLDING
Born in Cornwall in 1911, William Golding attended Marlborough Grammar School and went on to study English Literature at Oxford University. He worked as a teacher but took a break from the classroom in 1940, when he joined the Royal Navy to fight in World War Two. When he returned to teaching he also focussed more on writing and, after 21 rejections, his first and best-known novel The Lord of the Flies was finally published in 1954. Golding was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983 and in 1988 he was knighted. He died in Cornwall in 1993.
ABOUT SAM WEBER
Sam Weber was born in Alaska, and grew up in Deep River, Ontario, Canada. After attending the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, Sam moved to New York to pursue illustration and attend graduate school at The School of Visual Arts. His work for The Folio Society includes Lord of the Flies (2009) and Fahrenheit 451 (2011). His illustrations for Dune were painted in oil on board, with the black-and-white chapter headings in ink and charcoal on paper.
ABOUT IAN MCEWAN
Ian McEwan is a critically acclaimed author whose works have been translated into over thirty languages. Educated at the University of Sussex and the University of East Anglia, his first published work, the collection of short stories First Love, Last Rites (1975), won the Somerset Maugham Award. As well as Atonement (2001), his novels include The Child in Time, which won the 1987 Whitbread Novel of the Year Award, Enduring Love (1997), Amsterdam, which won the 1998 Booker Prize, Saturday (2005), On Chesil Beach (2007), Sweet Tooth (2012) and The Children Act (2014). His most recent novel is Nutshell (2016).
Reviews Powered By
Average Score for 53 Review(s)
It’s gorgeous but I wish there were more art pieces inside, since it is a illustrated edition. I love the cover and the font and pages are high quality, I just wish there was more additions, especially for the price
Review by
Sam Martin
on 23rd December 2024
I had already read this at school in my youth, a battered copy that had seen many pupils. This one is pristine and a joy to read again and keep!
Review by
Eric Masson
on 10th October 2024
Very nice edition. Looking forward to more similar purchases in the future.
Review by
Farhad Shawkat
on 7th October 2024
This is a wonderful edition of a great book. Binding and illustrations really enhance the text and bring out the themes. Well done, as always.
Review by
Mrs J Barnard
on 24th July 2024
A fantastic presentation of this classic book. An important piece of literature from the 20th Century which has been accorded great respect from the Folio Society. The Lord of the Flies is a must have on any bookshelf. Highly recommend.
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