The Beach by Alex Garland Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Beach
Book Review: A True Escape
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw the film first and found it to be incredibly engaging, but reading the book was something else altogether. Being the same age as Garland, I was truly inspired by his ability to masterfully create a gripping story, one that forces the reader to question his own morals and ethics.
Most of us have had fantasies or daydreams about escaping to an island paradise to take solace away from the grit and grime of the world at large...Garland's novel in many ways is saying, "Be careful what you wish for!"
I don't like to summarize plots in my reviews as I find it gives away the intrigue in actually picking up a book in the first place but I can say that the main character, Richard, is someone you will enjoy getting to know and the landscapes and situations are absolutely lush and brilliant if not at times sad an maddening. There are both danger and hilarity. The main point is, like the characters in the novel, the literal beauty of "The Beach" will reel you in like a mirage, but once it gets its hooks in you, I seriously doubt you'll be able to walk away for long. And, like a mirage, it will prove to be something entirely different than what originally meets the eye.This is one that you will continue to think about long after the quest is over. It's young and exciting and highly visual. Enjoy!
Book Review: A World So Sublime...
Summary: 5 Stars
After finishing this book, I sat for a long time and thought of the deeper meaning of a piece like this. There are pop culture landmarks and the affected youth tones, yet something really strikes me as sublime about the novel. I'm not claiming this to be the greatest book ever, not at all. Its just a very unique and lulling book... my moods would shift with the book and in the end, after it was over, I was lost in it's magic.Book Review: A backpacker classic
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was fantastic. It was so easy to read and hard to put down. Most 20 somethings that have done any backpacking can associate with it and most characters. My main disappointment is that it will be made into a film. by reading the book you feel as if you have found the secret world of the beach and by making a main stream film it takes away the whole point of it.
BEST BOOK I HAVE READ IN AGES
Book Review: A believable riveting book.
Summary: 5 Stars
I grabbed this book from a library display not knowing that once I started it, I wouldn't really be able to put it down.After travelling to Koh Samui and visiting the islands in the Marine Park recently, it was possible to imagine that this tale actually happened. Garland has an uncanny knack of hooking the reader through a series of sometimes unlinked events and I look forward to seeing whether his other life experiences are able to enable him to write equally as well on another subject.
Book Review: A book with enough description to touch all of your senses.
Summary: 5 Stars
The "Beach" was one of the best books I have read in years. Alex Garland has an incredible command of language and uses it well, creating a realistic type of imagery, that few books can. I found myself not able to put the book down, and sad that I had finished the book when I did. If you don't have time to travel to this beach for yourself, let Alex Garland take you there. My only problem with the book is that Leonardo DiCaprio is going to star in the movie version...who cast that? I swear there is no justice sometimes.