Rating: 
Summary: Good Book.
Review: Not outstanding, but definately readable. Yeah yeah, yeah..it's Lord of the Flies meets pop culture, but there seems to be something more to it. What that something is is rather elusive. I only know that it was enough to make me fly through the book even though I was pretty sure how things would turn out in the end. And it's never *completely* predictable. If your looking for a good vacation book, consider this one. Do not, however, look for any deep meaning. Or really any depth, period.Additionally, I have to say that I was rather bewildered to hear that Leonardo DiCaprio is to play the character Richard in a movie version. It'll be hard enough to make a reasonably faithful film version of The Beach. Why add miscasting into the mix?
Rating: 
Summary: A great adventure!!
Review: Life here is peaceful, close your eyes and imagine for yourself, a little island in Thailand surrounded by corrals and beautiful blue water, the sand is warm and white and fish are plenty. A look onto land you can see dense tropical like forest with animals like monkeys and fruit like papaya. The only sound in your ears is birds singing and the waves crashing against the shore.
SNAP.. back to reality, car horns blaring, thick smog coating the sky grey. Now you have an idea why people left to go live on this island. Okay, enter Richard (Leo DiCaprio).. chain smoking backpacker shacked up in a shabby motel with all sorts or interesting characters around. At night as he lies on the bed smoking he can hear the sounds of the young french couple above him and the estranged marijuana smoker in the next room. After a series of exciting, yet traumatizing events Richard finds himself on the way to the island of paradise with Ethan and Francoise, the french couple, armed with only a map drawn by a crazy man. The adventure to the island is exciting as is Richard's infatuation with Francoise. Upon arrival to the island otherwise known as Eden, they are happily accepted into the culture of the inhabitants. However, if that was the end it wouldn't be worth reading. No, there is turmoil caused by unexpected problems and before long there is havoc in the village. So what is the out come you're wondering? Well you'll just have to read the book for yourself to find out what becomes of Richard.
Rating:
Summary: Loved this book!
Review: I read "The Beach" over a weekend, just couldn't put it down. It had the right mix of suspense and travel-adventure to keep me going. I am really looking forward to Alex Garland's next novel. Yes, it isn't a literary work of art, but who says it has to be? It is, simply put, a very enjoyable read! Buy it or borrow it but give it a go! You won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: A different and enjoyable book
Review: I liked the descriptions of Thailand and these "travelers" who occupied the beach. The story definitely kept me interested and I would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, great for a holiday read
Review: Requires no thought! Great writing style, the story is compelling but the plot lacks continuity. Reminded me of Lord of the Flies only not as well written. If you liked it try a book called "Are you Experienced" much more light hearted about a bloke travelling through India with his (kind of) girlfriend. Easy read with laughs...
Rating: 
Summary: Fast, cheap, and disappointing
Review: Well, I was given this book as a gift after hearing A LOT of talk about it. And it was okay, I guess, it went by quickly though not altogether painlessly. I just didn't care about ANY of the characters, the story was somewhat interesting, but then only in patches. I was hoping the ending could be a payoff to salvage the rest of the novel, but no such luck. I do think this could be an interesting movie, though Di Caprio(sp?) is going to have to work hard to make anyone care about what happens to this character and after reading the book, I cannot imagine sitting for two more hours, watching these people. Really, don't bother--after all the comparisons are over, The Beach makes you appreciate the brilliance of Lord of the Flies. Save your time--re-read that one.
Rating: 
Summary: Paradise Lost
Review: I enjoyed reading Alex Garland's tale of the discovery and subsequent loss of a secluded Thai beach paradise. Like in Lord of the Flies, the relationships between the beach dwellers soon deteriorate - cliques form and an atmosphere of pervasive distrust corrodes the initial island idyll until it unravels in death and expulsion from paradise. The writing is clear, even simple in style, but the increasing sense of menace is well captured. This is, however, very much a holiday read, and not for those seeking a degree of depth from the text.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent read!
Review: This was a recommendation on Amazon's vacation reading by topics. Took this book with me to Maui and I could not put it down. It is well written and very suspenseful. The metamorphosis of the lead character, Richard, is intriguing and ropes you in. A fantastic read from a terrific writer. I can't wait for his next book.
Rating:
Summary: A fine novel
Review: This is a terrific book. The constant labeling as a "Generation X" or "twenty-something" novel does it a real disservice. I enjoyed it a lot and am not of that age group - or supposed mind set. You don't have to be a 1920's flapper to appreciate "The Great Gatsby" or a 1950s beat to appreciate "On The Road" , so don't worry about labels and enjoy this thought provoking book.
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read this summer.
Review: Following an article in 'The Times' on the future release of Alex Garlands new book I decided to buy his first....The Beach. It is a superb read. Garland is extremely graphic in his descriptions and the story moves with a good pace. I stayed up to 4am on a couple of nights so I could read it!! brilliant!
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