30-Day Book Challenge: Day 23

I will be on vacation tomorrow, and I know that I will not have Internet access until Sunday. This means, of course, that the challenge will be delayed. I am sorry, but it is unavoidable.

Day 23: a Book That People Hate, but You Love

I absolutely understand why people hate this book. I used to hate it myself.

    I first read this in English class my sophomore year of high school. It was one of those class assignments. My sophomore-year English teacher was definitely my worst English teacher. I just felt uncomfortable in his class, and he very quietly sucked away a lot of the fun of reading. So when we were reading this book, I was ready for it to be over.

    But I gave it a second chance over the following summer. After all, I knew that I liked one character, at least. Maybe the second reading would be better. And it was. I suddenly found myself really enjoying it. This was a really good book, I told myself. English class just killed it.

    Like I said earlier, though, I absolutely get it when people say they didn't like Lord of the Flies. If you don't like any of the characters, you're screwed. Also, the entirely male cast of characters, I'm sure, can be an instant turn-off for many female readers. The lack of girls still bothers me, even though I now like the book.

    Really, the big reason I like the book so much is Simon. In English class, Simon was the one reason I actually read the book. He was the only character I liked. Ralph was too arrogant. Jack was just a jerk, and Piggy was annoying. (I liked Piggy at first, but the more he talked, the whinier he seemed.) When Simon died, I was in utter disbelief. "No, William Golding. There is no way you just killed Simon." 

    But when it sunk in, I wasn't angry; I was just desperate. "Quick! I must find a new character to like!" I suddenly found myself caring about Ralph, and that was enough to finish the book.

    So if you don't like Lord of the Flies, I understand. You can keep disliking it if you want; I'm okay with that. I just happen to like the book now that I've given it a second chance.