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The Beach
The Beach
Author: Alex Garland
The Khao San Road, Bangkok--first stop for the hordes of rootless young Westerners traveling in Southeast Asia. On Richard's first night there, in a low-budget guest house, a fellow traveler slashes his wrists, bequeathing to Richard a meticulously drawn map to "the Beach." — The Beach, as Richard has come to learn, is the subject of a legend amo...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9781573226523
ISBN-10: 1573226521
Publication Date: 2/1/1998
Pages: 448
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 92

3.9 stars, based on 92 ratings
Publisher: Riverhead Trade
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Beach on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The book that the popular movie "the Beach," starring Leonardo Dicaprio, is based off of.

A story of the discovery of an infamous and legendary earthly paradise, Richard looks for an adventure and definitely finds one. If you liked the movie, definitely check out the book, it is even better!
tracey13 avatar reviewed The Beach on + 310 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The book on which the film was based. A coming of age tale of travellers searching for an unspoiled area - a pristine beach - and a simpler lifestyle, the commune of the modern world. Shades of "Lord Of The Flies" for the twenty-somethings who haven't quite grown into themselves or their role in life and are still searching for something without being able to explain what it is they are lacking to be happy or content.
reviewed The Beach on + 63 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Pretty much the definition of escapism in a book. I really liked the story, very glad I read the book. The kind of life the main character has is something that many of us will never know. Being able to disappear from your entire life for months, or years, pursuing paradise and avoiding growing up and being a part of the real world. The book was very enjoyable, I had seen the movie first, but either could stand alone. There were several differences between the book and the movie which work out fine for both. Funny thing is, I don't remember much at all about the beginning or the exact ending of either the movie or the book. Mostly because the middle of both were far more interesting. I wish the middle part had gone on and on, into several books, continuing on as a sort of alternate reality. Having it end was the only thing I didn't like! ****SORT-OF SPOILER ALERT**** Well, there was something about the book I didn't like, not just that the fun times of the middle ended, but the wrap-up itself. It was as if the suddenness and violence of the ending was the only way to close the story, and it was such a sharp and stark contrast to the themes throughout the entire book, I didn't buy it. They went from Woodstock to Lord of the Flies in a New York minute. It just seemed to me that these people who had worked so hard to develop their little commune and their togetherness wouldn't have turned into such bloodthirsty maniacs at the end. In my mind, the ending he wrote never happened, and they are all still at the beach, arguing over who has to work carpentry with Bugs. The only other thing I wasn't completely sure of was the lack of romantic interaction between the main characters. The movie explored that, and did a great job, including the awkwardness of being in such a close situation with someone you may have just broken up with, the loyalties of friends trying to avoid love triangles, the near-inevitability of young unattached hormonal hedonists and the results of their close contact with each other on an ISOLATED TROPICAL ISLAND. I mean, really, it seems it could not be avoided, but the book didn't seem to cover that much at all. Other than that, it was a fun, light read with a lot of imagination and very interesting interaction between the characters. Definitely recommended for an escape from reality.
reviewed The Beach on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great book. Almost impossible to put down.
Read All 27 Book Reviews of "The Beach"

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reviewed The Beach on + 7 more book reviews
Awesome book. I would read it again!
reviewed The Beach on + 8 more book reviews
This book is better than the movie. It is a great read!!! I think it is interesting and exciting to see another side of life. Paradise is not always what it should be;)
reviewed The Beach on + 11 more book reviews
Great story, much better than the movie, of course.
justreadingabook avatar reviewed The Beach on + 1726 more book reviews
Wow, great read, lots of twists, turns and boy didn't see that coming in this action packed book. Interesting characters that you really wonder about and why they sought out the beach. Abit confussing in the beginning but really works up to a excellent read.
detalosi avatar reviewed The Beach on + 7 more book reviews
I saw the movie way before I read the book, but by chance happened to stumble upon it and was curious. Very glad I flipped the pages. This was SUCH a great read, very vivid and really pulls you in.
reviewed The Beach on + 18 more book reviews
Took me 3 years to read this, Glad it was over, not in a bad way. read this if you grew up in the 90's,
reviewed The Beach on + 3 more book reviews
I read this book just before the movie came out, and I'm so glad I did. First, let me say, the movie was terrible!!

This book was so well written, I felt like I was actually there. It's a strange tale, yes, but that's what makes it so hard to put down. You have absolutely NO idea what is coming next.
reviewed The Beach on
Well written and an interesting read, for such a strange tale.
reviewed The Beach on + 14 more book reviews
A fast and captivating adventure.
reviewed The Beach on + 4 more book reviews
The movie was great. Then I read the book, which, as usual, was soooo much better than the movie. If you loved the movie, you'll not be able to put this book down until you're done.


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