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!
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!
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.
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.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book. Almost impossible to put down.
