The Beach

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Summary: The book of the anti-tourist traveler culture.
Review: This book was nauseatingly close to home. In our generation of the anti-tourist, the travel culture has become such an exotic way of life, this book was a true reminder of the dangers that most romantic travelers forget to acknowledge. Having travelled extensively through Asia this book took me back to the "travel culture" i once felt so much a part of, but have lost to the throes of corporate America; 9 to 5. This book made me nostalgic for the adventurer in me, and has helped me once again re-think the mundane life of 9 to 5.

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Summary: Fabulous Read!!
Review: It killed me to be away from this book. When I was at work, my thoughts always drifted back to the book and i would catch myself constantly checking the clock and trying to figure out how to fit some "reading time" into my day. I finished the book over a month ago, and i still find myself thinking about it. I want to re-read it, but silly me i lent my copy to a friend. BUY THIS BOOK! it is definately a must read. and i love Daffy! where would the book be without him?!?! This book is gruesome, and daffy is one of the most vivid and gorey (sp?) characters, but in a good way. ahhhhhh, my ramblings probably dont make sense so i'll stop this now.

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Summary: gen x neurosis
Review: Well ho hum. This book was very readable - churned it off in a couple of days. Unfortunately, it wasn't particularly well written and if it wasn't for an interesting adventure concept it would have annoyed me. I mean, how much Gen X selfish dribble does one need? Most of the females initially got described in terms of their breast size and the girl he did like - Francoise- was either cold (at the beginning) or secretly desiring him (mid-end). Not much else was written about her! And as for deceased characters coming back, well, it's a bit hard to take after a while. Ending was quite good though - very Hollywood. Let's see what they do to the film...Leonardo???

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Summary: A must read
Review: brilliant novel...but I'm not waiting for the movie. Leonardo DiCaprio??!! As Richard??!! What an insult to the literature.

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Summary: These book is pure adrenalin
Review: Fantastic, its only what i want to say. Easy to read and in the same time, complex .

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Summary: In my top three.
Review: I miss Richard. I want more; this is the kind of book you think about long long after the last page. (even motivated me to write this silly review).

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Summary: A brilliant first novel . . .
Review: I found myself completely immersed from the initial meeting between Richard and Mr. Duck up until the final thoughts in the brief epilogue. The characters are richly drawn and the backdrop is colourful and vivid, allowing the reader a real sense of the characters' personalities and a true feel for the lush setting. That in combination with Garland's insight and natural story-telling ability makes this a real page-turner and incredible read. Though there are obvious parallels to Golding's Lord of the Flies and Conrad's Heart of Darkness, these references only add to the paradise-like / nightmarish quality of the plot itself and has the reader probing a bit further into the psyche of the human mind. For a first novel, it encompasses as much depth and intensity as other revered classics of our time. Truly a stunning piece of literary work.

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Summary: Life's A Beach . . . Careful Where You Swim . . .
Review: Wow . . . what was that all about? True for any artistic work . . . it depends on the person experiencing it. For those whose life is absent of adventure, The Beach is a well written collage of action, suspense, and conflict, serving as a motivator to go and experience life. For those who seek the never ending peace, tranquility and joy that Paradise offers, it is hopeful, and in some instances validated our notion of what Paradise must be like (in the early part of the book at least). For those whose pessimism looms in the forefront of their conciseness, it's predictable, but well written., The Beach is creatively written and filled with symbolism. It is bound to strike a cord with almost anyone who reads the book. Lesson learned . . . Paradise is a perfectly beautiful place and can only stay that way if mortal man never discovers it.

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Summary: Love the book; can't wait for the movie
Review: I will admit that I only purchased the book because I knew it was Leonardo's next movie. It was very interesting and I think that Leo and Danny Boyle will make a great movie.

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Summary: This book should be required reading in geography class.
Review: The book starts out in a very sinister way. Whispers,weird characters and then a murder.I started devouring the pages waiting, waiting for that moment when the book would turn into a bloody mess.But it doesn't. Instead it starts describing the life in a secluded island and that is what's so great about the book. The sinister feeling never fades but we as readers accept the fact that this is more than a murder, slaughter book.We start enjoying life in this beach,wondering why all the foreshadowing didn't happen.When the book finally commits itself we are more than happy to enjoy the fish smell.