Golding’s 'Lord of the Flies' manuscript displayed for the first time

William Golding's manuscript of his classic novel Lord of the Flies, on loan from the Estate of William Golding, will be on public display for the first time. Curated by his daughter, Judy Carver, the Bodleian exhibition marks the centenary of the author's birth. The Lord of the Flies and beyond... display also includes a revised typescript of the novel. This was rejected by at least ten publishers before it was finally accepted for publication in September 1953 by the young editor Charles Monteith from Faber and Faber. He spotted the potential of the novel, which was initially entitled Strangers from Within. The rich exchange of correspondence between the author and his editor will be represented in the display by two letters on loan from Faber and Faber. The first letter is written by Golding when he submitted the manuscript. In the other letter dated 30 December 1953, Charles Monteith expresses his doubts about the initial title. He went through another 19 title suggestions before the novel was finally published a year later under the title Lord of the Flies