See unpublished pages of Lord of the Flies

A unique array of literary events have been arranged around central Exeter to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Lord of the Flies and the legacy of William Golding. 

The first of these events takes place from 1pm today, with a creative writing workshop showcasing a particularly special piece of literature.

Those attending the workshop will have the rare opportunity to explore unpublished pages from Golding’s unwritten draft of Lord of the Flies, offering exciting insights into how and why the boys ended up on the island.

The lack of impact these pages had, however, may also explain why the novel was initially rejected by at least nine publishers. 

The workshop will be led by Ellen Wiles, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Exeter, and is designed for beginner or experienced writers.

Refreshments will be provided.

All of the events are free to attend and will take place across autumn:

• Beyond the Island—Creative Writing Workshop—will be held on 25 September 2024 from 1pm to 2:30pm at Positive Lights Projects. Free tickets can be booked through Eventbrite

• Science Fact or Science Fiction? Neanderthal-Homo sapiens encounters in William Golding’s The Inheritors will be held on 9th October 2024 from 6:30pm-7:30pm at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Book through the RAMM website

• Paper Men & Paper Women: Writers and their Archives will be held on 15 October 2024 from 5pm to 6:30pm at the University of Exeter. Book through Eventbrite 

• Lord of the Flies—Film Screening and Talk—will be held on 22 October 2024 at 6pm at Exeter Phoenix. Book through the Exeter Phoenix Box Office

The Special Collections at the University of Exeter hold the manuscript of Lord of the Flies as part of the William Golding Literary Archive.

Professors from the university will be giving tours of its special archives, which will also include authors such as Agatha Christie, Daphne Du Maurier, Jack Clemo, and Charles Causley. 

There will also be a rare opportunity to see renowned theatre and film director Peter Brook’s 1963 adaptation, considered to be the most faithful version of the novel, on the big screen. 

Caroline Walter, Interim Head of Heritage Collections at the University of Exeter, said: “We’re excited to offer a variety of free events across the city. With each event offering a different way to explore Golding’s work, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and discover.”

Reserve your free ticket promptly, as spaces are filling up fast.