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William Golding, Lord of the flies Penguin Study Notes
In the PENGUIN STUDY NOTES series and originally published in 1986 as GOLDING'S LORD OF THE FLIES, a study guide to the novel, aimed at those preparing for the GCSE examination. It includes character studies, summaries of the plot with examinations of the background and major themes, as well as suggesting topics for discussion.
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Published January 1, 1999
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About the author
Gillian E. Hanscombe
13 books9 followersGillian Hanscombe is a poet, novelist, writing teacher, essayist, and feminist activist. She lives in England with her partner Suniti Namjoshi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
August 22, 2024
De enige reden waarom ik dit boek geen 4 sterren geef is omdat ik het soms moeilijk vond mij goed te identificeren met de personages, aangezien het allemaal kleine jongens zijn (shout out naar Charlotte die dit al eerder zei).
Hierdoor had ik ook het idee dat de schrijfstijl simpeler was, we kregen niet veel kijkjes in het hoofd van de personages en de beschrijvingen van de omgeving en situaties vond ik best simpel. Dit maakt het niet per se slecht, maar maakt juist dat het goed past in de hele beleveningswereld van de jongens en het boek in het algemeen.
Ik vond het vooral heel mooi hoe dit boek met een kinderverhaal laat zien hoe maakbaar de samenleving en onze hele wereld is. De schelp symboliseerde dit, en zodra de jongens de autoriteit ervan niet meer erkende nam het boek ook een vrij grimmige wending.
Dit was nog duidelijker toen de volwassenen de kinderen kwamen redden net net optijd, en je je als lezer je ook besefte hoe je helemaal was meegenomen in de gekte. Stephen King, die de introductie schreef, zei heel mooi; “The adults save the children, but who will save the adults?”. Dit boek was blijkbaar kritiek op de koude oorlog, waar niemand als de volwassen aan het einde het spelletje kon opbreken en relativeren.
Verder vond ik het ook heel mooi gedaan hoe sommige personages hun namen verloren toen ze wilder werden en de beschaving verlieten, en enkel nog met “savages” beschreven werden. Dit keerde direct weer terug toen de mariniers ze kwamen redden, en de beschaving dus terugkeerde.
Daarnaast vond ik als afsluiter deze quote zo mooi dat hij het hele boek is blijven hangen, ookal stond hij op een van de eerste pagina’s: “Why should I be Jack? I’m Merridew.” “Ralph turned to him quickly. That was the voice of one who knew his own mind.”
Hierdoor had ik ook het idee dat de schrijfstijl simpeler was, we kregen niet veel kijkjes in het hoofd van de personages en de beschrijvingen van de omgeving en situaties vond ik best simpel. Dit maakt het niet per se slecht, maar maakt juist dat het goed past in de hele beleveningswereld van de jongens en het boek in het algemeen.
Ik vond het vooral heel mooi hoe dit boek met een kinderverhaal laat zien hoe maakbaar de samenleving en onze hele wereld is. De schelp symboliseerde dit, en zodra de jongens de autoriteit ervan niet meer erkende nam het boek ook een vrij grimmige wending.
Dit was nog duidelijker toen de volwassenen de kinderen kwamen redden net net optijd, en je je als lezer je ook besefte hoe je helemaal was meegenomen in de gekte. Stephen King, die de introductie schreef, zei heel mooi; “The adults save the children, but who will save the adults?”. Dit boek was blijkbaar kritiek op de koude oorlog, waar niemand als de volwassen aan het einde het spelletje kon opbreken en relativeren.
Verder vond ik het ook heel mooi gedaan hoe sommige personages hun namen verloren toen ze wilder werden en de beschaving verlieten, en enkel nog met “savages” beschreven werden. Dit keerde direct weer terug toen de mariniers ze kwamen redden, en de beschaving dus terugkeerde.
Daarnaast vond ik als afsluiter deze quote zo mooi dat hij het hele boek is blijven hangen, ookal stond hij op een van de eerste pagina’s: “Why should I be Jack? I’m Merridew.” “Ralph turned to him quickly. That was the voice of one who knew his own mind.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2010
In William Golding's The Lord of the Flies, the conch shell holds the power of the boys who are on the island. The conch shell either brings them together or forces them apart. From the very beginning when Piggy finds the conch and when Ralph blows the shell, all the boys gather for a meeting. There are several examples of the power of the conch shell throughout the story. At one point, “Ralph grasped the idea and hit the shell with air from his diaphragm. Immediately the thing sounded. A deep, harsh note boomed under the palms. . . A child had appeared among the palms, about a hundred yards along the beach” (p21). This is just one of many instances where the power of the conch shell is indicated. This particular example shows that the conch is able to bring the boys together.
Throughout the book, the conch was used for the purpose of gathering the boys, but it was also used for many other purposes. Ralph was elected to be chief because he called the group together, and he was holding the conch. When in a meeting, the boys were only able to speak when they were holding the conch. This continued on until chapter 10 when the boys were having a meeting. “If I blow the conch and they don’t come back; then we’ve had it. We shan’t keep the fire going. We’ll be like animals. We’ll never be rescued. . . If you don’t blow, we’ll soon be animals anyway. I can’t see what they’re doing, but I can hear” (p130). In this paragraph, Ralph knows no one will listen, he is aware that his authority has been taken away, and that the conch is now powerless. However, the conch is still used in the next chapters for a very different reason. Jack realizes that the conch shell does still have a lot of power in it, and he uses the conch to influence the other boys to come to his tribe.
Although, the power of the conch shifts throughout the story, it is always a prominent item. It is a symbol of power, of leadership and of the way the group of boys chooses to govern themselves.
Throughout the book, the conch was used for the purpose of gathering the boys, but it was also used for many other purposes. Ralph was elected to be chief because he called the group together, and he was holding the conch. When in a meeting, the boys were only able to speak when they were holding the conch. This continued on until chapter 10 when the boys were having a meeting. “If I blow the conch and they don’t come back; then we’ve had it. We shan’t keep the fire going. We’ll be like animals. We’ll never be rescued. . . If you don’t blow, we’ll soon be animals anyway. I can’t see what they’re doing, but I can hear” (p130). In this paragraph, Ralph knows no one will listen, he is aware that his authority has been taken away, and that the conch is now powerless. However, the conch is still used in the next chapters for a very different reason. Jack realizes that the conch shell does still have a lot of power in it, and he uses the conch to influence the other boys to come to his tribe.
Although, the power of the conch shifts throughout the story, it is always a prominent item. It is a symbol of power, of leadership and of the way the group of boys chooses to govern themselves.
February 14, 2018
What I think of lord of the flies is it's a good book when someone else is reading it too you but,when your reading by yourself it's difficult to understand.
August 21, 2023
Lectura imprescindible
Read
January 24, 2025twas ok. not my favorite first read. might read again, depends on mood. #NotItPookie
May 10, 2008
El Señor de las moscas
Es una excelente e influyente novela de aventura con una historia interesante y entretenida, que es a la vez dramática y emocional. Esta se desarrolla en un lugar muy inusual en donde se explica y demuestra cómo podemos llegar a ser si no tenemos respeto, reglas y orden, las cuáles podrían causar caos mortal e irreversible.
El autor, William Golding, describe la novela en una forma profunda y detallada no queriendo dejar ningún insignificante detalle; por lo que hace la historia aún más real y auténtica. Su estilo de escritura es sencillo, pero el tema es profundo. Golding hace un buen trabajo mostrando los estados de ánimo y las personalidades de cada personaje a lo largo de la narración y hace que la historia cobre vida con un importante uso de símbolos tanto en los personajes como en los objetos. También describe cada uno de las partes de la isla, así como los pasajes más crueles. Por esta razón, la manera en que describe las cosas es increíble, genuina y poderosa.
Durante la mitad de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, un avión choca en una isla desconocida, abandonando a un grupo de estudiantes británicos. Los niños son todos jóvenes, los más grandes no tienen más de doce años, y la isla es al parecer pacífica y hermosa. Al principio, no hay adultos ahí; por lo que su libertad e independencia es algo que celebraron y gozaron. Estando lejos de la civilización y de los adultos, los niños pueden hacer cualquier cosa que quieran hacer sin ser regañados o castigados.
Pero al derrumbarse el orden y cuando el terror comienza su reinado, la esperanza de la aventura parece tan lejana de la realidad como la esperanza de ser rescatados.
Es una historia que te hace pensar y reflexionar acerca de la sociedad, la integridad de la gente y revela la parte más malvada y cruel de la humanidad. Esta revela en que nos podemos convertir si no nos controlamos a nosotros mismos o a nuestros impulsos, independientemente de si somos la persona que impone orden y cómo puede cambiarnos o transformarnos en algo peligroso, temible y desconocido, que nos hace hacer cosas que nunca nos atreveríamos o imaginábamos hacer.
Es un gran libro, entretenido, emocionante y fácil de leer. Disfruté mucho leer este libro y también me gustó la historia porque es emocionante e interesante; la manera en que muestra a los niños en una isla desconocida y de las cosas que hacen y que son capaces de hacer para poder sobrevivir y ser rescatados. Cada capítulo tiene algo diferente e interesante, ya que cuanto más lo leía, más me interesaba seguir leyendo. Por esta razón, definitivamente recomendaría este libro.
Es una excelente e influyente novela de aventura con una historia interesante y entretenida, que es a la vez dramática y emocional. Esta se desarrolla en un lugar muy inusual en donde se explica y demuestra cómo podemos llegar a ser si no tenemos respeto, reglas y orden, las cuáles podrían causar caos mortal e irreversible.
El autor, William Golding, describe la novela en una forma profunda y detallada no queriendo dejar ningún insignificante detalle; por lo que hace la historia aún más real y auténtica. Su estilo de escritura es sencillo, pero el tema es profundo. Golding hace un buen trabajo mostrando los estados de ánimo y las personalidades de cada personaje a lo largo de la narración y hace que la historia cobre vida con un importante uso de símbolos tanto en los personajes como en los objetos. También describe cada uno de las partes de la isla, así como los pasajes más crueles. Por esta razón, la manera en que describe las cosas es increíble, genuina y poderosa.
Durante la mitad de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, un avión choca en una isla desconocida, abandonando a un grupo de estudiantes británicos. Los niños son todos jóvenes, los más grandes no tienen más de doce años, y la isla es al parecer pacífica y hermosa. Al principio, no hay adultos ahí; por lo que su libertad e independencia es algo que celebraron y gozaron. Estando lejos de la civilización y de los adultos, los niños pueden hacer cualquier cosa que quieran hacer sin ser regañados o castigados.
Pero al derrumbarse el orden y cuando el terror comienza su reinado, la esperanza de la aventura parece tan lejana de la realidad como la esperanza de ser rescatados.
Es una historia que te hace pensar y reflexionar acerca de la sociedad, la integridad de la gente y revela la parte más malvada y cruel de la humanidad. Esta revela en que nos podemos convertir si no nos controlamos a nosotros mismos o a nuestros impulsos, independientemente de si somos la persona que impone orden y cómo puede cambiarnos o transformarnos en algo peligroso, temible y desconocido, que nos hace hacer cosas que nunca nos atreveríamos o imaginábamos hacer.
Es un gran libro, entretenido, emocionante y fácil de leer. Disfruté mucho leer este libro y también me gustó la historia porque es emocionante e interesante; la manera en que muestra a los niños en una isla desconocida y de las cosas que hacen y que son capaces de hacer para poder sobrevivir y ser rescatados. Cada capítulo tiene algo diferente e interesante, ya que cuanto más lo leía, más me interesaba seguir leyendo. Por esta razón, definitivamente recomendaría este libro.
May 10, 2013
Lord of the Flies is about a group of young boys who have crash landed on an island in the middle of the pacific. These boys weren't just your regular everyday boys. They were boys who were very polished and had manors. They were from families that were from either the military or rich and wealthy family members. As these young boys learn about how to be leaders and try to have control on their situation, they don't exactly do it as well as you might think. Even though they have been raised to be very polite and have manors, they are still young and don't know how to handle situations where they have to suddenly grow up and act like an adult in order to survive.
The movie and book were similar and I enjoyed the book and movie. I would recommend reading the book first so you know they characters better and get a better perspective of the story. The movie was kind of an older movie, but it was still good.
I actually thought this book was good. It was fairly easy to understand what was going on in the story and even though there were some parts of the story that had symbolism, it was still good and easy to catch on to. I would recommend this story to boys and girls who like reading about adventure and how people behave given certain situations. Over all I did enjoy this story.
The movie and book were similar and I enjoyed the book and movie. I would recommend reading the book first so you know they characters better and get a better perspective of the story. The movie was kind of an older movie, but it was still good.
I actually thought this book was good. It was fairly easy to understand what was going on in the story and even though there were some parts of the story that had symbolism, it was still good and easy to catch on to. I would recommend this story to boys and girls who like reading about adventure and how people behave given certain situations. Over all I did enjoy this story.
April 16, 2009
Every person has different styles of reading, and views on the types of books there are, and what they are interested in. This why people have differences on what type of book that they prefer reading. People may like action packed, love/romantic, mysteries, or even others on the shelfs instead of one paticular type of book.
When trying to handle around 100 kids as a teenager is a very difficult tasks to handle for four young boys. After the plane crash it was very odd to picture what Piggie and Ralph went through, but as the author went into detail, it made a more clear image. I felt that the author was trying to teach a lesson to not only adults, but kids as well when the book talked about the older kids taking charge during a serious matter. Even though people didn't really care of his opinion, but I thought that Piggie had some of the best and the most common sense out of all. The "Lord fo the Flies" was very interesting, but it wasn't a very clear book but confusing to me.
There were several things very unclear and difficult to read at some points, and I felt it had its moments, but didn't make me go crazy.
When trying to handle around 100 kids as a teenager is a very difficult tasks to handle for four young boys. After the plane crash it was very odd to picture what Piggie and Ralph went through, but as the author went into detail, it made a more clear image. I felt that the author was trying to teach a lesson to not only adults, but kids as well when the book talked about the older kids taking charge during a serious matter. Even though people didn't really care of his opinion, but I thought that Piggie had some of the best and the most common sense out of all. The "Lord fo the Flies" was very interesting, but it wasn't a very clear book but confusing to me.
There were several things very unclear and difficult to read at some points, and I felt it had its moments, but didn't make me go crazy.
September 7, 2008
This is one of the books that all young men should read (although young women would certainly learn something as well).
After English schoolboys are plane-wrecked, Golding tracks a degeneration of "civilization" with strong symbols and traceable events. The characters reveal several aspects of our psychology which expresses why we do need society. Golding adequately defines that the "unknown" is what we, as humans, fear. And possibly the most interesting part of this book is the sobering ending in which the schoolboys are rescued in the midst of their man-hunt by a English War Boat. This is a subtle hint that even the adults today still fall victim to the tactics to deal with fear today.
Because we have better ways to kill each other, does that mean that we are, in fact, civilized? This is still as pertinent in how we deal with terrorism today as when Golding wrote the book in 1954.
An amazing read!
After English schoolboys are plane-wrecked, Golding tracks a degeneration of "civilization" with strong symbols and traceable events. The characters reveal several aspects of our psychology which expresses why we do need society. Golding adequately defines that the "unknown" is what we, as humans, fear. And possibly the most interesting part of this book is the sobering ending in which the schoolboys are rescued in the midst of their man-hunt by a English War Boat. This is a subtle hint that even the adults today still fall victim to the tactics to deal with fear today.
Because we have better ways to kill each other, does that mean that we are, in fact, civilized? This is still as pertinent in how we deal with terrorism today as when Golding wrote the book in 1954.
An amazing read!
August 29, 2013
My teacher made me read this book the last couple weeks of school last year. It was really boring in the beginning. I thought this book was going to be so stupid! I didn't like the title one bit. I didn't understand why it was "Lord Of The Flies" to me that made no sense. I hated it! I did not want to open it after the first day! But I sucked it up and kept reading. It got better and better as I flipped page after page. I could NOT put down this book. Everyday I was so excited for school just because of this book. It really is an unexpected story. I love it. I was amazed of how good it turned out.
February 15, 2013
I respect that this is a good book, but I hate it! Characters died that I believe had no business dying and one character didn't die who I personally think should have been killed. Yeah I know they're only like 10 or 12 or something like that, but they still should have gotten rid of him. Also, the ending was very strange to me. I would have preferred a little more just so I see how they end up when they get older.
August 20, 2008
Lord of the flies was a very interesting book that ive read in my highschool life experence. It was strange on how only so many boys could survive on their own without an adult even tho some never made it was still a thrill seeking type in my opinion.
August 24, 2008
گلدینگ با روحیات پسر بچه ها بطور کامل آشناست.او نیروی تخیل پهناور و حس واقع بینی پویایی دارد.در قلمرو داستانی پر کشش این دو قوه خود را با مهارت بکار گرفته تا نشان دهد یک تمدن متزلزل و نا اموخته چگونه در زیر فشار غرایز خام بشر رو به زوال می گذارد...
June 6, 2008
A lot of symbolism...think 'Lost' but a really long time ago and with actual commentary on society and culture.
April 29, 2010
damn kids
May 11, 2021
Read this in school. All kids in school should read this book for book reports. Very heartbreaking and inspirational.
January 31, 2018
Here is a book that is about the happens on a Island, If you would like to read books that travels around and characters solving the problems for traveling, this book can be one of you best choice. Just for letting you know a little bit of the book (I don’t know if that is call spoil…), for the first page, Piggy and Ralphl (main characters), they meet on the Island, not kind of like meet juts like they saw each other eyes to eyes? And they start to think of how can they survive on this danger Island, with the “Choir leader” Jack, that’s what we call him, he is the antagonist, which is the bad guy. I think that’s all I can tell you about, not too much~ You might want to know the background information of this book, I think? Lord of the flies is written by William Golding, and it’s written in 1954 (cope right at), you can check the website of the information http://www.slideshare.net/mobile/mrsk... -the-flies-background-information This is a really interesting book for kid and adult, and it best suits travelers which likes to travel
If I need to use one sentence to explain this whole book, I will say that this book is about kid that got plane crush on the Island and trying to get out of it. The main characters, Ralphl and Piggy (good guy), they got plane crush by accident, and that’s why they are on the Island with other kids that is on the plane also, and there are none adults on the plane, even they don really know each other, but at last they still became good friends.
Opinion 1: Character
Maybe they can explain more on how they got in a plain crush, because they just write a little tiny bit of how they react when they got the accident. The first two pages, the Author explain that they got in the accident, but it’s only a one small paragraph that is about like 3 to 5 sentences. It’s like “They are taking a plane to somewhere ( um kind o forgot where they are going ), but suddenly the plane crush on the Island which they don’t know there is it.”, he (the author) also just explain Raphl and Piggy as the really smart guy and the really fat guy, maybe he can add more about how does they look like, their hair, the eyes color and something something else.
Opinion 2 : Foreshadowing
I hope that they can have more information about the foreshadowing, because I don’t think I can understand it really well, my reading level is low so I kind of think I need more for understanding. Here is a example :He hear a sound from that side, and he walk closer and closer, suddenly he sees a little boy.”, I think it’s better like he hear a sound that is really scary like “WOOO”, it sounds like wind blowing but it’s not, he can truly know this.. He wonder if will get in trouble by someone else will kill him or take him to sale, and he slowly walk to the way that he hear the sound one step by one step..” that will hook the reader more and give more information to the reader
Opinion 3 : plot
The plot of the story is like a bunch of boys got plane crush and they got suck on the island ( and I don’t know why there are not adults and girls on the plane? ), main question, why is this book call lord of the flies, I don’t really get what does the author want to tell us or the reader, and what does he want us to learn from this book? Every book must have at lease one thing that the author tell us to learn from right? (Not really sure about this ), but pretty sure I am a little bit confused of this book, hope latter on I can have an answer about this.
Even this book have a lot of things that can be improve, but still I can see that the author put a lot of idea, time and effort inside, he makes this book to be not a really boring book, you can see through it, hope you can enjoy reading this book.
October 31, 2023
Not sure I've ever had much interest in reading this, only I had a specific book I wanted to get to that's inspired by this - Lord of the Flyfest- (as well as some TV shows, films etc that takes inspiration from this classic) and wanted a better appreciation when the time comes.
Reminiscent of Peter Pan and the lost boys and some really good character analysis of humanity as a whole when faced with struggles. How we try to achieve this collective control at all times but quickly fall down to hysteria and paranoia when faced with the unknown.
I felt like this was a really interesting look at life with an island of stranded boys and how they try to survive the wilderness.
I know a lot of this probably went over my head and that reflects in the rating as I didn't understand all the themes, but I'm glad I read this.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
Reminiscent of Peter Pan and the lost boys and some really good character analysis of humanity as a whole when faced with struggles. How we try to achieve this collective control at all times but quickly fall down to hysteria and paranoia when faced with the unknown.
I felt like this was a really interesting look at life with an island of stranded boys and how they try to survive the wilderness.
I know a lot of this probably went over my head and that reflects in the rating as I didn't understand all the themes, but I'm glad I read this.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
April 28, 2020
When a plane crashed on a desert island, leaving a group of children cope on their own, there is no other choice but to live in harmony. However, it is not what happened. The thirst of power of Jack, the intelligence of Piggy and the way Ralph heads the group with justice leads to create a chaotic place. Without any adults to show them the right way, they live following their instinct in order to survive.
But while Ralph is trying to get the group out of this island, Jack just want to take control of them. They have made inbeliveble things that they may regret one day.
I truly love this book. It became one of my favorite one! Full of twist and adventure, there is no time to bother!
But while Ralph is trying to get the group out of this island, Jack just want to take control of them. They have made inbeliveble things that they may regret one day.
I truly love this book. It became one of my favorite one! Full of twist and adventure, there is no time to bother!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2021
This was a recommendation from a friend. Initially found the book bit disappointing and really boring,but as the things started heating up on the island , the story becomes interesting. How badly the power and it's hunger can influence the group behaviour, the book creates that brilliantly. The book is boring in some parts,scary in some parts. Some of the parts are simply brilliantly written. The scene describing moving of dead body of Simon along the beach was simply brilliant. An unorthodox book, I would say.
March 10, 2023
Golding's classic fiction is all about pack of stranded boys in an unknown island. Ralph, the protagonist is a symbol of civilization whereas his opponent Jack represents savagery. The most interesting part of Golding's writing is allegories through objects, titles of the chapters, characters and their persona and the setting.
Piggy is the most sensible yet physically deformed character and Simon the mysterious one.
Overall, the novel gives us a clear perspective that if human beings are given more liberty, then it will lead the humanity to anarchism and barberry.
Piggy is the most sensible yet physically deformed character and Simon the mysterious one.
Overall, the novel gives us a clear perspective that if human beings are given more liberty, then it will lead the humanity to anarchism and barberry.
September 21, 2017
It is a powerful description of an imaginary situation, yet linking reality in Science Fiction as a preview of future problems. The prediction level on which the book was being rated at its' time of publication is becoming a sad reality. The story is breathtaking and in my opinion, one of those books one doesn't put aside until one has come to the revelation of the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2024
Not an easy read the first time around. However, when you take another look with the lense of finding the social commentary and metaphor Golding WAS weaving into his tale-- all is redeemed. I now look forward to reading this every year with my students.
March 10, 2025
I am not sure what the premise really was. There were parts of the book where I was so confused and just read the dialogue (only one chapter).
I had to research some of it which was easy as it is a popular book.
I know one thing for certain though.
These people are crazy.
I had to research some of it which was easy as it is a popular book.
I know one thing for certain though.
These people are crazy.
May 10, 2018
I think it shows the psychological and mental development of children and the effect of the environmental changes on the adaptation process of human beings.
November 25, 2018
My father's favorite.
September 13, 2019
This book was definitely interesting but I believe that it portrays a good idea of children's imagination and the way government sort of works.
January 27, 2021
Very good plot of the book, i loved the way everything unfolds, i was delighted.
Read
May 7, 2021I clicked the wrong book don't mind me
June 16, 2021
Really good and brutal.
Love the characters development and how real it feels. It isn't a confortable book to read and makes you think about human nature, evil, society and fear. Really recommended.
Love the characters development and how real it feels. It isn't a confortable book to read and makes you think about human nature, evil, society and fear. Really recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews