The first biography of the publicity-shy author William Golding, whose debut novel was rejected by many publishers before going on to sell over 20 million copies in the UK alone.

Drawing on a vast wealth of previously-unpublished material in the Golding family archive, John Carey explores the life and career of an often violently self-critical novelist who won the nobel prize for literature.

Abridged by John Carey. Read by Christian Rodska. Producer: Bruce Young. Show less