An hour on this rock is a lifetime.

A Penguin Classic

Drowning in the freezing North Atlantic, Christopher “Pincher” Martin, temporary lieutenant, happens upon a grotesque rock, an island that appears only on weather charts. To drink, there is a pool of rainwater; to eat, there are weeds and sea anemones. Through the long hours with only himself to talk to, Martin must try to assemble the truth of his fate, piece by terrible piece.

After Lord of the Flies, William Golding wrote novels that further explored the complexities of human nature, not only social tendencies but the psychological underpinnings of human consciousness. This edition provides a Suggestions for Further Exploration section that identifies key themes throughout Golding’s novels—including Pincher Martin, first published in 1956—and connections to classic and contemporary fiction, nonfiction, film, and television.

DETAILS • Author: William Golding • Publisher: Penguin Classics • Format: Paperback