Beach (UK Edition) by Alex Garland Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Beach (UK Edition)
Book Review: Unoriginal aeroplane fodder
Summary: 5 Stars
I've seen almost as many people reading this on the Tube in London as I've seen reading Captain Corelli (I bet more saw The Beach through to the end, though). However, let's not get carried away because someone has finally written a backpacking (don't use the word 'traveller', they're just want to be called that) novel. This is the Lord of the Flies repackaged, but not as clever (there is also a similar short novel by John Wyndham, the title of which escapes me at the moment). Those who have done the South-east Asia backpacker trail will undoubtedly be able to identify with the places and characters - but there's nothing clever in writing about that - there are a million and one backpackers personal diaries with exactly that in them.It is definitely quite addictive reading as you do finish it quickly - but it's also really easy-going as none of the characters are really developed beyond them fitting a particular stereotype.
There is a great scope for a good backpacker novel (William Sutcliffe's 'Are You Experienced' starts on the right lines but loses its way halfway through) but this isn't it. If that's indeed what it intended to be. If it was meant to be a perceptive take on paradise and society, then it's even further from the mark.
I did wonder for a moment if it was just me, and I was being too cynical, but then the Tesseract came out, I started reading it and it was utter rubbish.
For me Garland is not going to make it beyond the likes of Charles Higson and James Hawes - great entertainment if you've hours to kill in a hotel room - but never destined to be in the league of the likes of Martin Amis, David Lodge and so on.
Book Review: Great potential,but...
Summary: 3 Stars
I heard great things about this book,so when I finally was able to find it where I live I rushed,bought and read it in a few days. Well,the book has its good bits,but,ultimately,it's not the cult novel I expected it to be. Still,If you're interested in alternative travel writing and vietnam-yes THAT vietnam-give it a try. Do it now before you're bored to tears by the hype soon surronding the book-The new movie starring Mr.Di Caprio is the Film version of this novel,you know..Book Review: A book for armchairbackpackers, read it when you get back.
Summary: 5 Stars
I was recommended to The Beach and bought the book with the intention of reading it on holiday....i had a quick look at it waiting to meet my dad off the train. The train was an hour late and i was already a good way through it. By the time i had flown to Australia it was over, too quickly. When i got here i gave to everyone to read aging from 20 - 83 we all LOVED IT...if i saw them i'd spot it slipped in their bag! A book for an intenstive reading sesh. Words: Absorbing...exciting adventure...scary truth of our culture...our bad attitudes...respect for others....quite unbelievable elaborate twists...beatchy...My advice for anyone who picks it up...Enjoy it before the film comes out, give it to your friends (they will love you for it) and enjoy it as a good story...it will stay with you.
Book Review: Excellent read
Summary: 5 Stars
A fantastic, fast-paced, multi-level novel. Exceptionally compulsive reading mixes with some superb descriptive prose to catapult you into the Gulf of Thailand, even if (like me) you've never been there. If I had one complaint, it was that it's a little Lord of the Flies-ish, but, then again, that was a great book, too!Book Review: Hmm... Pass the matches
Summary: 5 Stars
I must have missed the point of this one. Multiple levels? Subtext? ANYTHING to engage the mind? Nope. A few hours wasted. Read "The Wasp Factory" instead.