On the Beach Audiobook

" I liked the style of writing. "

" I was curious if I would like this book as much as the first time I read it and I did. It's not scary in what I think of as the modern way, but in a very low-key, sense of dread, impending doom way. Shute wrote about normal people facing imminent death ... each in the only way they knew how and still remain relatively sane to the end. Very good writing. I look forward to reading more of his work. "

" Haunting and realistic. I've been telling people about this book since I read it several years ago. It carries a heavy message for such a small book. "

" In reading all the Nevil Shute books my dad just sent me, I knew I'd have to deal with this one, but it was more depressing than I thought. I like that his tone and fundamental view of people doesn't change at all even at the End of the World. And I think this must have sparked great debates when it was published. After The Road is does feel a little dated in its optimism about how people overall behave? "

" One of the best scifi of all time, ranks right up there with the uber-classics of 1984 and Brave New World. Somewhat dated to read it now, but dang. That was one harsh read, I remember it disturbed my dreams for weeks after reading it (first read back in the seventies). "

" On the Beach was an example of one author's idea of how most of humanity would act, knowing that they were going to die via the inescapable fallout of nuclear wars. I agree with another reviewer that many people would not have reacted so lightly to this news, if not a few people, taking the impending doom without attempting to survive elsewhere. There was an idea that was brought up to (view spoiler)[go to the Arctic and try to survive where the winds were less affected by radiation, but not much action is taken to either help other people, find other people, or explore far away areas to find a place with a livable amount of radiation (hide spoiler)]. I just think that these authors - when attempting to assume how different people will react, they need more to glean from than just their own experiences and/or imaginations. Let more people into the mix, and get more povs. In the instances Shute did cover, reaction and coping wise, it was very eyeopening, interesting to follow and think about. Warning: If you like happy endings - look elsewhere. There were times when Dwight and Moira where the only characters I cared about and would have loved to put the book down otherwise. Bottom Line: Positive - I do believe that this book accurately depicts many "surviving survival" techniques and can be emotionally stirring Negative - Some of it reads like a military account (many words/phrases you may have difficulty following). Not enough POVs; many reactions were too rational with too little emotional frenzies. "

" a remarkably boring and calm look at the the end of the world...difficult to get through. maybe its just me but I cant see the end of the world happening in such a calm and civil manner which made it so unbelievable I could not take it seriously "

" The female characters are ridiculous "

" A sobering read, and a stark reminder of what might have been, had the cold war not ended. "

" Brutally real...last few pages were what it's all about. "

" A sobering read, and a stark reminder of what might have been, had the cold war not ended. "

" Not a super action packed book, but a book that resulted in a lot of introspection. I really enjoyed the read and the style. "

" What a bleak and sad story. Been meaning to read it for years. Prelude to The Road !! "

" Wow, that was depressing as fuck. The last third or so starts to get draggy, and the book very definitely shows its age. All in all, an interesting read. "

" I love Nevil Shute, and I've read many of his books. I tried to read this one when I was a boy, but it was too terrifying and depressing. It's still just as terrifying and depressing, but it deserves reading as a cautionary tale. Life seems a little sweeter after having read it. "

" A truly haunting book. "

" The world has been destroyed by nuclear war, and the last people on earth are on the southern shore of Australia, waiting to die. "

" The book is well written but the plot is rather slow. "

" Definitely an optimistic view of human nature at the time of an apocalypse. But so sweetly horrifying. Can there be a cozy post-apocalyptic story? Reminded me of Alas, Babylon, which is also one of my favorites. "

" Soap operatic.... "

" Very low-key in an impending doom sort of way. "

" Another post-apocalyptic book although this time it's the Australians waiting for nuclear fall-out to kill them as the rest of the world is already a lifeless wasteland. "

" Shorter version: don't have nuclear wars. "

" The single most depressing book I've ever read. And that was with taking a break in the middle. "

" Hauntingly beautiful. While not overly sentimental, the writing still made me cry. I can't get this book out of my mind. "

" Absolutely despised this book. It's terribly depressing. Perversely the author wrote one of my favourite books. "

" Just reread this novel that I first read in junior high school. Very surreal how we haven't learned a thing and the plot is as relevant today as it was in 1957. "

" how the times of changed. I don't think people would react quite the same to the end of the world as they did in the 40s. "

" Simple, but I really liked it. "

" I recommend this book to everyone. It is a tough book to read, one of the most disturbing books I have ever read. But it is a MUST read for anyone that remembers the fear of the cold war. "

" I wrote a report on this book while in Miss Faith Porch's eleventh grade English class at Gordon MIlitary College. "

" A great classic. It's about how people handle their last days on earth. I've read it numerous times. "

" Strangely compelling. Worth a read as long as you're not particularly depressed before you start. "

" This book has haunted me for the past 10+ years since I read it. It seems like a scenario that could exist in many forms. I found it to be good writing, but a little too disturbing. "

" Hopefully we are foolish enough to see how accurate this book really is. "

" In 2002 I had a list of post-apocalyptic books written down on a piece of paper I copied from the internet. I took it around charity shops looking for titles. I remember finding this in a charity store, under a desk in a sale bin for 30p. Worth every penny! "

" Probably not the book to read on one's birthday, although it was strangely life affirming. The story follows a group of folks in Australia, waiting for the end of the world, and not necessarily feeling fine. It shockingly my first Nevil Shute novel, and won't be my last. "

" I could not put this book down! The story is very humbling and a little sad, because even though it was written in 1957, the conflicts which set the nuclear war in the story in motion are still present today. "

" This story has stuck with me... What would you do if you knew that the end of life on earth was just a few weeks away? Very well written story anout every day people and the different ways we cope. "

" An intriguing exploration of how people might react knowing the end of the world is coming..and quietly harrowing. "

" Good book even today, also has 2 movies made of it to do a neet comparison of the directors view and your own after reading the book and watching the movies. "

" i loved this book so much. it really made u think about how one countrys actions could effect the whole world and what it would really be like if some like this really happened. "

" i loved this book so much. it really made u think about how one countrys actions could effect the whole world and what it would really be like if some like this really happened. "

" I find post-apocalyptic books to be intriguing... "

" I read this after watching the TV show telling this story. Was it Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, or??? I'll never forget the scene of the breeze blowing the window shade, causing the telegraph to transmit. "

" another one of my favorites - set in Australia during the cold war, it's a hypothetical look at the end of the world after a nuclear war. Couldn't put it down! "

" Fast reading and erily relevant for today..... "

" An eerie story from one of my favorite authors. "

" Incredible book. No heroes, no bad guys, just people living their lives as best they can until the inevitable end. An amazing study of ordinary people in extraordinary times. "

" I read this many years ago, and found it terrifying and remains one of my all time favorites! "

" Great book for its time - one of the earliest post-apocalyptic fictions, I would imagine. "

" This book can be very depressing, like a car accident, you can not take your eyes off.I give it 5 stars because it is well written and makes you think about what if........ "