小說描述在一場未來的核戰爭中，一架飛機帶著一群孩子從本土飛到南方疏散。飛機被擊落，孩子們乘坐的機艙落到一座世外桃源般的、荒無人煙的珊瑚島上。起初孩子們齊心協力，後來由於害怕所謂的“野獸”分裂成兩派，以崇尚本能的專製派壓倒瞭講究理智的民主派而告終。

At the dawn of the next World mar, a plane crashes on an uncharted island, stranding a group of schoolboys. At first, with no adult superutsion, their freedom is something to celebrate. This far from Cluilizatlon thep can do anpthing thep want. Rnything. But as order collapses, as strange ho,,,ls echo in the night, as terror begins its reign, the hope of sduenture seems as far remoued from realitp as the hope of being rescued...