The Coral Island the civilising effect of Christianity, 19th-century British imperialism in the South Pacific, and the importance of hierarchy and leadership. It was the inspiration for William Golding's dystopian novel "Lord of the Flies" (1954), which inverted the morality of "The Coral Island"; in Ballantyne's story the children encounter evil, but in "Lord of the Flies" evil is within them. In the early 20th century, the novel was considered a classic for primary school children in the UK, and in the United States it was a staple of high-school suggested reading lists. Modern critics consider the book's worldview to be dated and
Lord of Misrule (novel) Lord of Misrule (novel) Lord of Misrule is a 2010 novel by Jaimy Gordon. The book is divided into four sections, each concerned with one of four horse races at a "down on the luck" racetrack. The novel drew a positive response, with many reviewers focusing on Gordon's skillful and complex prose style. It received the National Book Award for Fiction in 2010. This "dark horse" victory surprised its publishing house, McPherson & Company, which did not have enough copies ready to meet demand immediately after the win. Many reviewers of the novel comment on Gordon's distinctive style and control