A group of children survive a plane crash and find themselves alone on a deserted island. White sand between the toes, the lapping of turquoise waves and carefree laughter on the breeze — soon to be shattered. Without schoolmasters or parents to keep them in check, some of the boys’ most base motives are rapidly revealed. A power struggle erupts between Ralph, the elected leader, and Jack, the authoritarian head of the group of choristers. While Ralph encourages the boys to work together to build shelters and ensure their signal-fire never burns out, Jack develops a bloodthirsty passion for hunting, puts his own interests ahead of the group and incites others to join him in his ruinous antics.
The book, by Nobel prizewinner William Golding, lays bare the view that savagery is universal.
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