William Golding's Lord of the Flies follows a group of British schoolboys stranded on an uninhabited island who descend from civilized order into savage chaos. Through their failed attempt to create society, Golding explores the darkness inherent in human nature, the fragility of civilization, and how quickly moral codes collapse without external enforcement. The novel becomes a devastating allegory about power, violence, and the thin veneer separating humanity from brutality.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Golding understood that civilization isn't our natural state but a constant struggle against our worst impulses. Lord of the Flies remains terrifying because it shows us that the monsters aren't external threats but the darkness we carry inside ourselves.

DETAILS: • Author: William Golding • Publisher: Penguin Classics • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: November 15, 2016 • ISBN: 9780143129400 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days