Faber and the National Literacy Trust have unveiled the winners of a nationwide schools competition celebrating the 70th anniversary of William Golding’s iconic novel, Lord of the Flies, per faber.co.uk. The contest challenged pupils across the UK to imagine themselves stranded on the novel’s infamous island, crafting diary entries or creative projects that brought the story to life in new and imaginative ways.
The competition, which encouraged entries in various formats, saw students explore themes of survival, societal breakdown and hope. Prizes included copies of Lord of the Flies: The Graphic Novel by Aimée de Jongh, book tokens and signed prints. The judging panel, featuring Judy Golding (William Golding’s daughter), Aimée de Jongh and Faber editors, praised the creativity and depth of the submissions.
Two entries stood out as joint winners. Harriet Maxfield Sloane, an individual entrant, wowed the judges with her graphic novel titled “Lady of the Flies”. The work reimagined the story with a female protagonist, blending striking artwork with a narrative that reflected on modern society’s struggles while ending on a hopeful note. Harriet, who shares a birthday with William Golding, said, “I adore the novel and was inspired by his writing. I wanted to create something professional-looking and play around with the story.”
The second winning entry came from a group of students at Lochside Academy in Aberdeen. Their 11-minute video diary reimagined the classic tale with dramatic flair, featuring a plane crash, the symbolic use of the conch and a bloopers reel that added a touch of humour. Holly Hunter, who led the group, shared, “We achieved better communication, teamwork and cooperation. This will be a memory I’ll always cherish.”
The competition celebrated Golding’s enduring legacy and also highlighted the power of creativity and collaboration in education. As Judy Golding noted, “The entries showed a deep understanding of the novel’s themes and a remarkable ability to reinterpret them for a new generation.”
•Featured image: Harriet Maxfield Sloane
