"Lord of the Flies" is a novel by William Golding, published in 1954. It is set on a tropical island and follows the story of a group of boys who are stranded there after a plane crash. As they struggle to survive and govern themselves, the boys descend into savagery and violence. The book is known for its portrayal of the inherent evil of human nature and its themes of power, corruption, and the loss of innocence. It has been highly praised for its writing and its insight into the dark side of human nature, and is considered a classic of English literature. However, it is also controversial due to its graphic violence and has been banned in some schools and libraries.