The final four editions of Faber’s reissue of William Golding’s classic novels are now published! The books feature striking new covers and The Paper Men and The Scorpion God have brand new introductions.
Golding’s Free Fall (1959) features philosopher John Gray’s 2013 introduction in which he writes that the book is ‘an inquiry into some of the deepest human questions’. Booker Prize-winning author Penelope Lively introduces The Pyramid, three interlinked stories that, in Lively’s words, give ‘a brilliant insight into the social rigidity of English provincial life’. The Scorpion God (1971), a collection of three novellas, has a new introduction from writer Charlotte Higgins, who emphasises the humour in the stories and the ‘mythic undertow’ in all of Golding’s work. Finally, Booker Prize winner DBC Pierre introduces The Paper Men (1984), a darkly comic novel about a writer and his biographer. Pierre writes:
‘I left these pages feeling that they were a gift delivered sideways with a self-effacing laugh, by a fellow who we can well imagine was deeply suspicious of the word “likeable” – but who was likeable in spite of himself and finally had to face it.’
These four editions complete Faber’s innovative relaunch, with wonderful new introductions from a range of authors and public figures and beautiful new designs. The books remind us of Golding’s achievement, the sheer diversity of his books, and his radical approach to the novel. A good time to re-read these novels, or discover them for the first time.
Read about the other new editions: Lord of the Flies, Darkness Visible, The Double Tongue; Rites of Passage, Close Quarters, Fire Down Below.