Classics · Literary
Lord of the Flies
A group of British schoolboys is stranded on an uninhabited island after a plane crash. Without adults, they try to organise themselves, and the effort turns into rivalry and fear.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1954
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 208
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like short, chilling parables about how fast order can fall apart.
Skip this if you want hope or tenderness; it is a bleak story about children hurting each other.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Lord of the Flies
- What is Lord of the Flies about?
- A group of British schoolboys is stranded on an uninhabited island after a plane crash. Without adults, they try to organise themselves, and the effort turns into rivalry and fear.
- Who should read Lord of the Flies?
- Read it if you like short, chilling parables about how fast order can fall apart. Skip it if you want hope or tenderness; it is a bleak story about children hurting each other.
- How long and how fast is Lord of the Flies?
- It is a medium-paced, short read of about 208 pages, first published in 1954.
- Does Lord of the Flies have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Child death, Bullying.
- Can I borrow Lord of the Flies for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Lord of the Flies; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Lord of the Flies?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Hunger Games, The Road, Hatchet.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Lord of the Flies
-
The Hunger Games
Also puts young people in a lethal contest, with a stronger sense of heroism and a bigger plot.
-
The Road
Another stark, short novel about humanity pushed to its limit, with a quieter and more tender centre.
-
Hatchet A much gentler survival story about a boy alone, showing nature as a challenge instead of a mirror for evil.
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