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Product Description
From Amazon.com
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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
The first I heard of the beach was in Bangkok, on the Ko Sanh Road. Read the first page
Concordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not the best ending...,
This review is from: Beach (Paperback)
I loved this book from start to almost finish. I found it a lot better than the movie. Having seen the movie before reading the book, I enjoyed that it gave me something extra to visualize whenever the island was described in the book. The book went downhill after page 424 when the drug lords make their threats and the group subsequently turns on the main character in some sort of drugged frenzy. I thought that was a little overdone... I would have liked too if the epilogue hadn't been so rushed. Otherwise, the book was great. A very smooth read that kept me consistantly entertained.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't Miss It!,
By Lori Squires (Darien, CT) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Beach (Paperback)
The Beach is Alex Garland's amazing first novel. Visionary and disturbing, this book is a must read.Richard is a traveler from Europe who leaves everything behind him after being jilted by a lover. While in Thailand he meets a man who leaves him a map to a paradise beach. After deciding to share this treasure with two fellow travelers, they set off. The journey to the beach is difficult for it is illegal for foreigners to go there, but after buying off a man who owns a boat and swimming a considerable distance they make it to the island. Before they even have time to enjoy their discovery, however, they land into danger when they discover that the island is used as sort of a mega-greenhouse for marijuana. They still decide to press on, though and after some time they find the fabled beach. A bit disappointed at first, they eventually grow to love the beach and the entire community of people they find living there. Integrating into the lifestyle there is done very quickly and before they know it, months have passed. Their languid, carefree lifestyle lulls them into a sense of false security, though, and they find themselves unprepared for the disasters that lay ahead. Filled with pop culture references and very violent imagery this book may best appeal to the twenty-something generation. In a way that's a shame, though, because the story behind all of the icons and imagery is intense and enjoyable. At times the story gets almost too disgusting and graphic but none of it is gratuitous since it is all important to the plot. I heavily recommend this book to all of the members of my generation and I also hope some of the younger and older generations will give it a chance too. I do feel that it is important, however, that you try to read it before you see the movie, because from what I've heard it seems like they have changed it quite a bit. Make sure to pick up a copy of this great book. Another book I need to recommend -- very much on my mind since I purchased a "used" copy off Amazon is "THE LOSERS CLUB: Complete Restored Edition" by Richard Perez, an exceptional, funny, entertaining little novel I can't stop thinking about.
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Beach by Alex Garland,
By Miki Lea (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Beach (Paperback)
This book is great wether you are just looking for a good story or something with a little more substance. It won me over with a beautiful, deeper message. I highly recommend you read this. I wouldn't bother with the movie if I were you.
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