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Summary: Brilliantly confident debut !
Review: Anyone who has criticised this book can shut up ! This book is an addictive escape from reality
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Summary: A wonderful book.
Review: All you people say that this book is bad because he doesn't very ellaberate characterization, but this is what makes this book great. With not knowing the characters backgrounds or regular life you never know what they're going to do next or why they are going to do it. This is a great writing technique that leaves readers looking for more. so for all you old folks who are stuck in the past with a bunch of dead authors WAKE UP, because there is a alot of great young writers you should be aware of.
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Summary: Reminiscent of Lord of the Flies but Better
Review: I like that the guy in the book is about my age and that the setting is recent. There were parts that freaked me out... I found it very realistic and entertaining. I'm going to read more of his work.
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Summary: This book is excellent!!!
Review: When I first began this book, I couldn't put it down. Every single page intrigued me. I got in trouble at work and at school because I was glued to it. I can't wait to see the movie!
Rating: 
Summary: HIghly Enjoyable
Review: The Beach is definitely a good, exciting read (I finished it off in one sitting). However, don't expect to see it in any "Books of the Century" lists.One major quibble: I think that Garland completely misses the psyche of backpackers. TRAVEL is the addiction, not nice scenery. Also, anyone as independent as the individuals in this group would never submit themselves to the rigid rules and regulations of the Beach Stalag. I find it incredible that anyone would actually consider life on the Beach any different than a 9 to 5 existence with a bit of a view.
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated debut
Review: I read this book when I discovered that Danny Boyle of "Trainspotting" fame was set to direct the film version. Being a fan of Boyle I picked up Garland's debut and was astounded to see the kind of praise published on my edition. People were calling it brilliant and inspired, that Garland was the voice of a generation. I hope not. Garland can only speak for himself, as can anyone, and what Garland has to say isn't all that original - William Golding said it already in "The Lord of the Flies." "The Beach" is overrated - it's not brilliant, it's not a work of pure genius, it's none of those - but it's fun. If you want to escape from the mundane hum-drum of day-to-day life and want to take a tropical vacation adventure, then read "The Beach." It's typical, it's trite, yes, but it's fun. It's 300+ plus pages of escapism. Garland himself has lived this sort of life, no doubt, but he's still young (26 when first published) and people who knock into him because of what other people say aren't looking at him honestly. He's got a lot of talent and I have no doubts he will pen the "Gatsby" or "Catcher in the Rye" for his generation, but "The Beach" isn't it. Read this, then "The Tesseract" and keep a close eye on Garland, because he's going places.
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Summary: gripping
Review: I started reading this novel because my wife couldnt get off it when se was reading it, so I decided to give a try...and friends its worth it, without a dbout one of the best I've read and for sure the best in the last two or three years.
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Summary: Intriguing pageturner
Review: I'm an 18 year old high shcool graduate who hated reading books. My friend bought me this book and begged me to read it. So, i agreed just so i could get him to shut up, but to my surprise i ended up not being able to put the book down.The only thing that spooked me was when Mr. Duck appeared bloody, It was a little too gory for me. Besides that, I enjoyed Alex Garland's writing style. I definitely recommend reading this book!I can't wait for it to come to vedio!!
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Summary: An Generation X book for sure
Review: I thought that it was a great book and flowed really well. I felt that he could have gone a little more in depth on some of the characters that you do not really get a chance to meet bringing out the conflict between them a little better. It was very entertaining and would suggest it to anyone that likes a reality break.
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Summary: Incredible!
Review: I picked this book up before a trip to Europe to read on the plane. I couldnt put it down. I cant remember the last time this happened with a book. I was dreading finishing the book because I couldnt imagine what I might read next that would be as good. Garland's writing is so smooth and evokes so many images that I so easily identify with. True the book does have its faults: the characters are a bit shallow and the appearences of duck were a little annoying, but none of this was significant to me in light of the incredible fluidity of the story. Loved it!
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