- Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (26 Jun 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140258418
- ISBN-13: 978-0140270051
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 11 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (293 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 16,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
From Amazon.co.uk
In our ever-shrinking world, where popular Western culture seems to have infected every nation on the planet, it is hard to find even a small niche of unspoiled land--forget searching for pristine islands or continents. This is the situation in Alex Garland's debut novel, The Beach. Human progress has reduced Eden to a secret little beach near Thailand. In the tradition of grand adventure novels, Richard, a rootless traveller rambling around Thailand on his way somewhere else, is given a hand-drawn map by a madman who calls himself Daffy Duck. He and two French travellers set out on a journey to find this paradise.
What makes this a truly satisfying novel is the number of levels on which it operates. On the surface it's a fast-paced adventure novel; at another level it explores why we search for these utopias, be they mysterious lost continents or small island communes. Garland weaves a gripping and thought-provoking narrative that suggests we are, in fact, such products of our Western culture that we cannot help but pollute and ultimately destroy the very sanctuary we seek. --Amazon.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Amazon.co.uk Review
In our ever-shrinking world, where popular Western culture seems to have infected every nation on the planet, it is hard to find even a small niche of unspoiled land--forget searching for pristine islands or continents. This is the situation in Alex Garland's debut novel, The Beach. Human progress has reduced Eden to a secret little beach near Thailand. In the tradition of grand adventure novels, Richard, a rootless traveller rambling around Thailand on his way somewhere else, is given a hand-drawn map by a madman who calls himself Daffy Duck. He and two French travellers set out on a journey to find this paradise.
What makes this a truly satisfying novel is the number of levels on which it operates. On the surface it's a fast-paced adventure novel; at another level it explores why we search for these utopias, be they mysterious lost continents or small island communes. Garland weaves a gripping and thought-provoking narrative that suggests we are, in fact, such products of our Western culture that we cannot help but pollute and ultimately destroy the very sanctuary we seek. --Amazon.com
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top book!,
By
This review is from: The Beach (Paperback)
I am reading this for the second time, seven years on. I never do that. It is one of the best books I've ever read and I just felt I had to re-visit it, wondering why it was just so brilliant and why it made such an impression on me. For travel lovers, or even people who are simply interested in watching faraway places on telly, don't get through life without reading this. Okay, it might be a little spoooky for some, not for the faint hearted. Its a thriller. The characters are frighteningly real. The stuff that people say/think and how they might act in unusual circumstances are illustrated perfectly.
If you saw the film just remember that Richard, the main character, was an ordinary English bloke; not gym workout six-hours-a-day, pretty boy Leo. This makes it more enjoyable (except for the Leo fans of course). And there's loads of details that a film wouldn't have time to portray/ put in. The book is loads, loads better. Love it!!!!... Keep writing Garland.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVED THE BOOK, HATED THE FILM!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Beach (Paperback)
Wow, this is definietely one of the best books I've ever read and like everyone else on this page, I just couldn't put it down! Considering its Alex Garland's first novel, he certainly did a pretty good job. Its written in such a vivid way that in your imagination you have your own idea of what the beach is like, what everyone looks like. The book is soooooo much better than the film - that seems to be a completely different story, one that totally bored me. And why was Sal a black lady in the book but white in the film! Overall, a damn good read which I would recommend to absolutely everyone I know - and actually already have done! Read the book, don't even bother with the film! Anyone who shares my opinions, get in touch.....
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Real Beach,
By
This review is from: The Beach (Paperback)
This has to be one of my favourite all-time novels. 'The Beach' is a stunning combination of an excellent plotline and a great style of writing.
Garland's first novel touches deep into the soul and draws parallels between modern life and war through themes such as the jungle and the contrast between paradise and hell on the same island. I don't know if Garland intended it - but I consdier The Beach to be one of the most meaningful books to come out of the 90's.
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