{"product_id":"the-spire-9780143138815","title":"The Spire","description":"\u003cb\u003e\"There were three sorts of people. Those who ran, those who stayed, and those who were built in.\" \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA Penguin Classic \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSet in medieval England, \u003ci\u003eThe Spire\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of one man's vision--the construction of an enormous spire onto a cathedral without foundations. Believing himself to be chosen by God, Jocelin, dean of the cathedral, insists that the spire must rise higher and higher. Told with an inventive narration that reflects Jocelin's ever-increasing madness, \u003ci\u003eThe Spire\u003c\/i\u003e is an astonishing portrait of obsession, betrayal, and arrogance. Jocelin's vision produces terrible consequences for those around him; the human cost of one man's folly. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAfter \u003ci\u003eLord of the Flies\u003c\/i\u003e, William Golding wrote novels that further explored the complexities of human nature, not only social tendencies but the psychological underpinnings of human consciousness. This edition provides a Suggestions for Further Exploration section that identifies key themes throughout Golding's novels--including \u003ci\u003eThe Spire\u003c\/i\u003e, first published in 1964--and connections to classic and contemporary fiction, nonfiction, film, and television. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePenguin Classics is the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, representing a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWilliam Golding \u003c\/b\u003e(1911- 1993) was born in Cornwall, England, in 1911 and educated at Oxford University. His first book, \u003ci\u003ePoems\u003c\/i\u003e, was published in 1934. Following a stint in the Royal Navy and other diversions during and after World War II, Golding wrote his first novel, \u003ci\u003eLord of the Flies \u003c\/i\u003e(1954), while teaching school. Many novels followed, including \u003ci\u003eThe Inheritors \u003c\/i\u003e(1955), \u003ci\u003ePincher Martin \u003c\/i\u003e(1956), and \u003ci\u003eFree Fall \u003c\/i\u003e(1959), as well as a play, \u003ci\u003eThe Brass Butterfly \u003c\/i\u003e(1958), and a collection of shorter works, \u003ci\u003eThe Hot Gates and Other Occasional Pieces \u003c\/i\u003e(1965). He received the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for \u003ci\u003eDarkness Visible \u003c\/i\u003e(1979) and the Booker Prize for \u003ci\u003eRites of Passage \u003c\/i\u003e(1980). In 1983, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature \"for his novels which, with the perspicuity of realistic narrative art and the diversity and universality of myth, illuminate the human condition in the world of today.\" He was a member of the Royal Society of Literature and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988. William Golding died in June 1993 and is buried in Holy Trinity churchyard in Bowerchalke, Wiltshire, in England. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eBenjamin Myers\u003c\/b\u003e (introduction) is an award-winning author and journalist, whose work includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry and journalism. His novels have been translated into thirteen languages. He is the author of \u003ci\u003eRare Singles\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eCuddy\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Gallows Pole\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Offing\u003c\/i\u003e and many more.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Penguin Classics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52057772163346,"sku":"9780143138815","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_55b75831-fca4-4eb8-8b6c-8db814cfcd15.jpg?v=1773151416","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-spire-9780143138815","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}