Rating: 
Summary: A great read!
Review: I saw the movie first before reading this book. While the movie was great, the book is even better (but that's usually always the case, isn't it?).The original details of Garland's story are even more absorbing than what the producers edited for the film version. For example, Richard gets the girl Francoise in the film and the result understandably causes Etienne to get upset. In the book, though, Richard never gets her--he's attracted to her, sure, but he bends over backwards to *not* go anywhere with her or even give the impression of being tempted. That's because Richard is a lot less selfish in the original novel and grows to be a close friend of Etienne's without all of the constant arguing they do in the movie, and his desire to be sure he doesn't even accidentally hurt Etienne's feelings over Francoise is much more emotionally effective, genuinely touching and easier for readers to relate to. The scene with the whole camp getting sick, though, is much more understandable concerning its being edited out--it wouldn't work too well in a film. The ending is far, far more disturbing than even the original film--I was genuinely surprised by it. But it ends the book as a whole on a much more haunting note while still ringing true. A great read and definitely worth your time and money!
Rating:
Summary: My favourite novel
Review: 'The Beach' is undoubtedly by favourite novel of all time. It is not only intelligent and funny but it's gripping and has a lot to say. The reader is first of all introduced to Richard, an English backpacker who has just arrived in Thailand. Once there he is given a map to a beach, a so-called backpacker's paradise. So off he goes along with two French travellers, Françoise and Etienne, that he persuades to come with him. However, before setting off he draws the map for a couple of Americans. Once they reach the beach it's every bit as beautiful as they were led to believe, with a small island community under the firm leadership of Sal. As the book progresses it becomes apparent that the often humorous yet perceptive narrative is a mask for the real darkness of this community. The central irony that the quest for true paradise ultimately destroys it runs throughout this novel, and characterisation is second to none. Unlike the movie, the book's depiction of Richard's love for Françoise is a much more subtle affair. Indeed, it is the repression of human emotions and the stifling of human desires and needs that eventually leads Richard into madness. Once again, this is much better evoked in the book, with several hallucination scenes being at once funny and creepy. The contract between the beautiful island paradise and Richard's personal hell as the community become progressively obsessed with preserving their paradise is wonderfully evoked. Yet it is when a group of marauders appear on the island and there is a terrible accident that the book really impresses. In many ways 'The Beach' is similar to 'Lord Of The Flies', yet this novel also works as the masterpiece of travel literature, its flowing narrative and sharp sense of humour making it an instant hit but also intensely disturbing.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent adventure... Don't let the film dissuade you...
Review: Before seeing the film, I decided to read the highly acclaimed novel by Alex Garland. A book of adventure, societal interaction, and psychosis, The Beach will take you on a journey through the wilds of Thailand. The dream of Utopia is a common literary thread, combine that dream with a fantastic locale and you have The Beach. This combination, is certain to provide with an entertaining read. It's like the Lord of the Flies, combined with a really interesting travelogue. The scenery is extremely well described... You can feel the warm sun on your brow, you can taste the fresh fish, you can smell the spice of life. This adventurous tale was not done justice in the film. In fact, the film butchers some of the most important themes. The book is much deeper, and more thorough. Some of the main themes, in fact were lost on the film. For a great adventure, certain to warm a winter-weary soul, the Beach is a great read. Warning: It can be a bit graphic.
Rating:
Summary: The characters make the story...
Review: I began this book prepared to dislike it. With the movie poster splashed across the front cover, I figured this would be derivative "Hollywood-esque" pulp drawing largely on Lord of the Flies for inspiration. I was pleasantly surprised to find a genuine novel between the covers. The main character is well delineated, and Garland takes the courageous step of making his protagonist a less than sympathetic character. At times you end up empathizing more with various secondary characters than you do with Richard. Garland also manages to integrate disparate elements of Western culture--movies, video games, "wanderlust", cartoons, disillusionment--in a way that usually tells us more about the characters. I don't know if Garland is drawing upon some of his own experiences, but many of the perspectives seem genuine, and the "coming of age" theme comes through without being heavyhanded. The action proceeds in a slow, revolving cycle that somehow seems appropriate for the languid environment of The Beach. While this could be a criticism, I did not mind the slow pace--it gives you time to get to know the characters better, even though you know this utopia cannot endure. Garland also had the good sense not to include a sappy romance storyline (which Hollywood felt obligated to add). However, there is one thing to make clear: this novel is no "Gen X" introspection, as some of the editorial reviews indicated. It is a dangerous step to extrapolate the values that appear in "The Beach" beyond the scope of the book's pages. Unfortunately the movie loses some of the character depth in translation to the film--it is a worthy attempt that falls short. They shaped the film to fit Leonardo DiCaprio, rather than vice versa, and they added extraneous storylines, eliminated an important character, and altered the denouement. The ending short-changes some of the themes that hold the storyline together. The novel is worth the read, but skip the movie. Garland takes you for an interesting ride that keeps you reading to the end.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment
Review: This book was recommended to me. I found it to be a disappointment. It was a great concept and ok story but it lacked the suspense that other authors can give. It is certainly an over-rated book.
Rating:
Summary: An adventure you'll never forget...
Review: Ready for some excitement and adventure? Pick up The Beach and lose yourself on a tropical island... Richard, a twentysomething backpacker who spends most of his time searching for bigger and better places to see, finds his way to Thailand for a little R&R. But something is definitely different about this trip and most of it comes in the form of his crazy hostel neighbor, Daffy, who talks incessantly and angrily about a beach. Tucked away in a remote and off-limits part of Thailand, the beach Daffy speaks of is considered a utopia, a perfect world that is unspoiled by tourists, a prize at the end of a tiring quest. Naturally Richard is curious, so he sets out with a French couple, Etienne and Francoise, and a map drawn by Daffy in search of this pristine fantasy land. The island commune in The Beach would definitely pass for a secret Woodstock hideaway. Richard's journey is like no other; a riveting and spectacular adventure. Reading this book was the next best thing to swimming in their private lagoon, spearing fish and viewing the underwater corals. Island politics and the obsessive desire to keep the island's secrecy plays a heavy role in this novel and is also a prime example of how, even in paradise, one can somehow manage to destroy it.
Dark and sinister, as well as sarcastically funny, The Beach is a fast and furious novel that transports readers to another place in the blink of an eye. Alex Garland's writing is razor-sharp and indicative of his amazing storytelling talent. The movie cannot begin to touch the depth and fascination of this unforgettable novel.
Rating:
Summary: Garland became one of my favorites with this book alone
Review: Most writers have to impress me a few times before I'll consider them a favorite. But not only as Garland impressed me with just this one book, but he's leaving me with a craving for more of his work that will last through out my life time. No wonder it was such a success in England, and now it's doing even better here in the US. To quote a review, The Beach is a modern day Lord of the Flies. And as we watch the perfect paradise decay into insanity and blood shed we begin to see the accuracy of the comparrison.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best of the past decade
Review: "The Beach" is, in my opinion, one of the best books made in this past decade. It is a real page-turner, as many people have described it. Garland captures real excitment in this almost modern day "Lord of the Flies." I would tell anyone to read this before seeing the movie, which has been changed from the book in many ways. The movie is good, but the book is much better.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT
Review: THIS IS AN AWESOME BOOK. YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO RESIST THE URGE TO STRAP ON A PACK AND TRAVEL TO FAR AWAY PLACES. AN EXCITING WORK OF FICTION WITH PLENTY OF TWIST AND TURNS. I WOOD RECOMENDED IT TO ANYONE. EVEN IF YOU'VE SEEN THE MOVIE(WHICH WAS ALSO GOOD) THIS BOOK IS TEN TIMES BETTER.
Rating: 
Summary: The Beach
Review: I read this book last year and although it's been a while I can't stop telling people how wonderful it is! What kept me enthusiastic about the book was his totally original and absorbing writing style - he was honest and unpretentious (some authors aren't), amusing and at the same time moralistic(?), and I could practically see Leo Di Caprio in it but when I saw the previews I was devastated for Alex G! What on earth did they do to the story and characters?!!! I think it was an excellent book because of the way he wrote it (his language, style and air) and the storyline itself was not the highlight of the book. Would you believe it, after reading it I felt like if I met A.G I would have so much to talk about with him!!! I also think he was very psychologically accurate with the characters considering their circumstances - quite amazing.
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