4.5 stars!

Fabulous!

This is an extremely good work. I have added it to my favorites. However, I refrained from giving it a full 5 stars. There were some odd pieces that seemed a bit unnecessary. Also, while I really enjoyed reading the "Tarpaulin" language, at times it was rather difficult to follow certain bits and pieces and to precisely understand what was being said. It does add to the overall feel of the story, but it also made for not so easy reading at times.

Forget about the protagonist! I found myself absolutely loving First Lieutenant Charles Summers! What a wonderful man he is. He truly shone in the second and third books. There was really a kind of "bromance" going on between him and Edmund. I really felt a lot for him at times. If only William Golding had written a novel with Charles Summers as the lead! Sigh. It would have been amazing.

Unputdownable.

The author truly manages to capture the essence of a long, arduous sea journey. They vividly depict how the relationships of those in close quarters evolve over time. Alongside the various dramas, both big and small, there is the excitement, danger, and at times, the sheer monotony of life at sea.

I could almost feel the continuous movement and the banging of the ship. The humorous moments, like 'thar she blows!', added a touch of levity. By the end of Talbot's journey, I really empathized with his anti-climax, the loss of his companions, and the life-changing nature of his trip, which was succinctly summed up by Mrs P as 'just a series of events'.

I wholeheartedly recommend watching the 3-part TV series while re-reading this book. It adheres to the book almost word for word, and the acting quality and production are truly impeccable. It enhances the overall experience and allows you to immerse yourself even deeper into the story.

This sea trilogy consists of three novels: Rites of Passage, Close Quarters, and Fire Down Below.

I truly relish Golding's writing. His words have an enchanting allure that seizes my attention right from the start. The narrative flows with a remarkable elegance, carrying the reader along on a captivating journey. Moreover, it constantly enriches my vocabulary, introducing me to new and interesting words.

As someone who hasn't delved deeply into the world of nautical books, this trilogy has been a highly educational experience for me. It has opened my eyes to the unique aspects of life at sea and the challenges faced by sailors.

Overall, I would rate this sea trilogy 3.5 out of 5. It has its flaws, but the engaging writing and educational value more than make up for them. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction or nautical adventures.

'Rites of Passage', the first novel of this trilogy, won the prestigious Booker Prize. Golding, a Nobel Literature Prize winner and a master of language, uses words to create an enclosed world in these three books, that of a sailing ship heading for Australia.

The first novel, 'Rites of Passage', centres around the tragic story of Reverend Colley. It is a tragic and shocking episode that is typical of Golding. However, his narrator, Edmund Talbot, is a rare comic Golding character, often foolish. Readers see through his eyes and can sometimes laugh.

The ship's crew and passengers reflect the spectrum of 19th century English society. These characters, including the disgruntled captain, his officers, the motley crew, and the passengers, interact with Edmund. Readers often understand more than he does, providing a comic twist. But Edmund is not merely a caricature; he is a three-dimensional character who grows through the three books from a conceited youth to a more thoughtful young man. Because of this growth, often in spite of himself, the reader is left with hope rather than despair.

By the end of the voyage and the trilogy, there is happiness for Talbot in love and with a promising future, but not so for all the other characters. It is a very Golding ending.

The trilogy is a superb read. The historical detail is excellent, the characters are fascinating, and the story itself is nail-biting. Will there be a mutiny? Will the ship reach Sydney Cove? Add to that the quality of William Golding's writing, and you have a book that can be re-read with as much pleasure as when you first read it.

The novel is indeed a quite lengthy read, but it is truly filled to the brim with action and drama. As you progress through the story, you can vividly imagine and really feel how cramped the passengers must have felt during the almost year-long voyage to Australia. The author does an excellent job of描绘ing the confined spaces and the various emotions that the passengers experience throughout their arduous journey. You can sense their anticipation, their fears, and their hopes as they endure the long days and nights on the ship. It is a captivating tale that keeps you engaged from start to finish, and makes you appreciate the hardships that people had to face in the past when traveling long distances.

You would think that three books about a single sea voyage would be terminally boring. However, the genius of Golding proves that it is quite the opposite.

His works offer a captivating and immersive experience that takes readers on a thrilling adventure at sea.

For those of you who have never been to sea (and never will), this is a fantastic set of books to take you there.

Golding's vivid descriptions bring the ocean to life, allowing you to feel the salt spray on your face and the sway of the ship beneath your feet.

You'll be drawn into the story of the voyage, sharing the experiences and emotions of the characters.

Whether it's the excitement of setting sail, the challenges of facing a storm, or the wonder of discovering new lands, these books have it all.

So, don't be put off by the idea of reading three books about a single sea voyage.

Thanks to Golding's genius, it's an adventure you won't want to miss.

I just have an intense love for nautical adventures. There is something truly captivating about them. When these adventures are presented with beautiful writing and profound commentary, they become a real treasure. It's like uncovering a hidden gem. And speaking of outstanding works in this regard, William Golding is simply superb. His ability to bring nautical tales to life with his masterful pen is truly remarkable. He has this unique talent for creating vivid scenes and characters that draw the reader in and keep them engaged from start to finish. The way he weaves in his profound insights and commentaries adds an extra layer of depth and meaning to the stories. It's no wonder that his works are widely regarded as classics in the world of literature.

This trilogy provided a truly excellent and comprehensive portrayal of what it was like to undertake a journey on an old sailboat from England to Australia in the early 19th century.

The first book was truly remarkable and an absolute page-turner. It had the power to captivate the reader from the very beginning and keep them engaged until the end.

The second book, although not as astonishing as the first, was still highly entertaining. It continued to build on the story and provided further insights into the characters and their experiences.

However, the last book was unfortunately rather difficult to finish. It seemed to lack the same level of excitement and momentum as the previous two.

I would recommend reading only the first book, "Rites of Passage." It offers a complete and fulfilling experience on its own. And only if you still haven't had your fill of sea voyages after reading the first book, then you might consider reading the second one as well.

Overall, this trilogy has its strengths and weaknesses, but the first book is definitely a must-read for anyone interested in historical adventures at sea.

The story was truly excellent.

However, as I delved deeper into it, the writing seemed to drag on for a while.

Certainly, there were some riveting parts within this book.

Undoubtedly, the length of the story was intended to showcase the length of such a sea voyage.

But after a certain point, I found myself reluctant to be pulled into the boredom that often accompanied life on the ship.

Moreover, the main character's extensive knowledge of seaman's language made it quite challenging to follow everything that was happening throughout the entire narrative.

I almost have the feeling that it might have been more beneficial if he were ignorant of sea-language.

This way, everything that was going on would have had to be explained in a more detailed and understandable manner.

Nevertheless, it remains an incredible story and is definitely worth a read.

Despite its flaws, it manages to capture the essence of a sea adventure and keep the reader engaged to a great extent.

It offers a unique perspective on life at sea and the challenges that seafarers face.

So, if you're interested in maritime tales, this book is definitely one to consider.

This book is not as engaging and concise as Golding's classic Lord of the Flies.

It is indeed an epic, but it is also wordy, and at times, it can be quite a struggle to get through.

I read it simultaneously with other books, which might be part of the reason it seemed so long and arduous.

However, overall, it was still a decent read.

It just didn't have that page-turning quality that makes you eager to keep reading.

Perhaps if I had read it on its own, my experience might have been different.

Nonetheless, it did have its moments and offered some interesting insights.

But compared to the masterpiece that is Lord of the Flies, it falls short in terms of readability and overall impact.

Still, for those who are willing to invest the time and effort, it can be a worthwhile read.