Golding had a remarkably vivid imagination (he did only minimal research) but was racked by self-doubt and alcoholism. Carey's excellent biography (meticulously researched from original sources) is a long but compelling account of this driven genius and his work. His experiences as a naval officer and teacher had a huge impact on his subsequent depiction of human relationships. He and his editor Charles Monteith (obliquely criticised) formed one of the great literary relationships. Highly recommended.
(Hugh Pearman - bwl 55 Winter 2010 ) |
