William Golding wrote exactly that kind of book. "Lord of the Flies" (1954) — a novel that initially makes you expect a cheerful "Treasure Island" but delivers the darkest lesson about human nature instead.
What's the book about?
A plane crashes on a deserted island. Among the survivors — only boys. No adults, no rules, no boundaries — freedom! They build shelters, light fires, play at being chiefs.
Why is this worth reading today?
The book was published in 1954, but it's completely relevant now. "Lord of the Flies" is a metaphor. About how easily the mask of decency falls off when laws and consequences disappear. About the thin line between civilization and the primitive beast inside us.It's also a brutally piercing coming-of-age story, but in a completely different, darker key. About despair and fear of realizing you're no longer a child — but a human being capable of anything. Even the most terrible things.
Why did the book become a classic?
Golding won the Nobel Prize, and the novel became part of school curricula in many countries (deservedly so). It's studied in psychology, sociology, and literature courses. This isn't just a dystopia — it's a sinister experiment where the reader witnesses the collapse of morality.And yes — this isn't a thriller you'll forget after the finale. Because the ending in this book is a separate work of art. After finishing the novel, I spent a long time thinking about how I would have behaved if I'd found myself on a deserted island with peers slowly losing their minds.
By the way, the book has four film adaptations that came out in 1963, 1971, 1975, and 1990. But before watching them, I'd still recommend reading the novel first. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com told you about "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" — a novel that drives you crazy (in the best possible way).