What is the title of the book (published 1954) which is considered to be a parody of Ballantyne's 'Coral Island'?
The Coral Island to (or even a parody of) "The Coral Island", and Golding makes explicit references to it. At the end of the novel, for instance, one of the naval officers who rescues the children mentions the book, commenting on the hunt for one of their number, Ralph, as a "jolly good show. Like the Coral Island". Jack also makes an appearance in "Lord of the Flies" as Jack Merridew, representing the irrational nature of the boys. Indeed, Golding's three central characters – Ralph, Piggy and Jack – are caricatures of Ballantyne's heroes. Despite having enjoyed "The Coral Island" many times as
The Coral Island Firth of Forth in Fife. According to Ballantyne biographer Eric Quayle he borrowed extensively from an 1852 novel by the American author James F. Bowman, "The Island Home". He also borrowed from John Williams' "Narrative of Missionary Enterprises" (1837), to the extent that cultural historian Rod Edmond has suggested that Ballantyne must have written one chapter of "The Coral Island" with Williams' book open in front of him, so similar is the text. Edmond describes the novel as "a fruit cocktail of other writing about the Pacific", adding that "by modern standards Ballantyne's plagiarism in "The Coral Island" is startling".