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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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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
Format: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
Format: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.
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
great book, pants film...
this is one of the 'bibles' when you are backpacking through south east asia. it truly captures the feeling of trying to find somewhere new, off the beaten track - so it's easy to... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Gcrikey
BEST BOOK EVER
What's so special about `The Beach'? I must have been recommended this book ten times before I finally picked it up, yet when pressed for reasons, my prompters could only seem to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Banks15
Much better than the film
I have just finished reading The Beach after having been a fan of the film The Beach [2000] [DVD] previously, what a delight to discover that the book is even better! Read more
Published 10 months ago by R. Hewitt
One of my favourites
As a reader I felt I could see, smell, feel, hear and touch the story as it unfolded.
I have only ever re-read my favourites, and re-reading this confirmed how much I... Read more
I have only ever re-read my favourites, and re-reading this confirmed how much I... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Pokka
Great book
I read this book for English in school many moons ago (well, when it was published) and read it whilst on holiday in Australia. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Stephen McDonald
Captures the elements of a cult novel with intelligent social...
Alex Garland's The Beach intertwines the vogue for travel with his utopian vision.
Out on the travel trail, the protagonist hears of the perfect beach, although no-one's... Read more
Out on the travel trail, the protagonist hears of the perfect beach, although no-one's... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Talc Demon
Amazing!
This is the best book I have ever read!! I have struggled ever since to find another book that even comes close, everything I read now seems boring. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Bex
the sea cam up an touched my face with a pappaya to eat
The Beach is a magically book by author Alex Garland.
I've read this book 3 times and love it more and more. I love the language Garland uses. Read more
I've read this book 3 times and love it more and more. I love the language Garland uses. Read more
Published on 8 April 2010 by Bjørn Rune Ingemundsen
VERY GOOD BOOK
I had some doubts about buying a book that I hadn't seen it before, because that was the first time I used Amazon. But the book was perfect and it arrived in time.
Published on 13 Jan 2010 by M. A. García
A really great, thought-provoking read
I, like many others, has seen the film (and didn't think much of it) but had never read the book. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book is very well-written and captures... Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2009 by Mrs. S. Payne
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