When "Lord of the Flies" appeared in 1954 it received unprecedented reviews for a first novel. "Time and Tide" touched upon perhaps the most important facet of this book when it said, "It is not only a first-rate adventure but a parable of our times, " and articles on this and subsequent Golding novels have stressed these twin aspects of Golding: a consummate control of the novel form, and a superb all-encompassing vision of reality which communicates itself with a power reminiscent of Conrad..
Forster chose it as the Outstanding Novel of the Year.
M. the terrible spell of this book..." E. a dizzy climax of terror... like a fragment of nightmare... its progress is magnificient... completely convincing and often very frightening... this beautiful and desperate book... vivid and enthralling...
Critics used such phrases as "beautifully writeen, tragic and provocative...
When "Lord of the Flies" appeared in 1954 it received unprecedented reviews for a first novel
