Rites of Passage

by William Golding

First published 1982

In the early 18th century, a shipload of passengers sets sail for Australia. Among them is a parson, an easy target for the crew's cruelty and superstition. As the voyage grows more perilous, the parson must navigate the treacherous waters of his fellow travelers' anger and suspicion. With danger closing in, the parson must find the strength to survive this harrowing rite of passage.

Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, 19th-century

Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: fish-out-of-water, survival-against-the-odds

Setting: Australia, England

Period: 19th Century

278 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Playboy Paperback

Content warnings: violence

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