The Beach Audiobook

" Loved this book. Modern day Catcher in the Rye meets Lord of the Flies. (Do not watch the movie!) "

" Gripping story, may make you want to go to Thailand. In reality, it's a little like Animal Farm too, if you think about it. "

" I was disappointed with this one. I thought I'd enjoy it and really wanted to love it and, to be fair, I did find it gripping. Yet for some reason, I found it hard to maintain my suspended state of disbelief and kept wondering what the issue was. Very well written and definitely interesting but I thought it was a bit anti-climatic and just felt a bit empty once it had finished (and not in a profound, disturbed way either). Dunno... maybe I missed something...? "

" I loved this book so much - I just recently re read it again. I first saw the movie to this book - having seen that and liekd it a lot - my enlightened sisstyer told me about Alex Garland and specifically that book - which she had carried around Australia when travelling for a few years around the world - she said it really touched a nerve and having travelled myself later - I knew exacly what she meant - This book teels of the Eutopia we all dream of and the costs of having it - or keeping it - its such a good read I would recommend to anyone. "

" much better than the movie! "

" Sums up a time and a place for me "

" I was really into the beginning of the novel, but the middle/end of the novel was a little to far-fetched for me. I found it hard to follow & couldn't stay focused. I enjoyed the movie much better. "

" I really loved this book. Devoured it in three sittings. "

" Wow, the ending is pretty damn horrendous. Overall a fascinating read. Fast pace, patiently constructed characters and enough crazy twists to keep the story interesting. I also particularly enjoyed Garland, having written a travel classic, criticizing the travel crowd itself. "

" It was a pretty good book. Some parts were fun and exciting but unfortunately many others were boring. "

" Had a lord of the flies feel to it...I thought it was way interesting "

" Richard is traveling in Thailand when he is given a hand-drawn mad by a crazy guy called Daffy. He and a couple other travelers set out to find an eden-like piece of paradise. "

" Amazing book. Takes u on a visual and imagination journey like no other. Please read this instead of seeng the film it is a masterpiece to itself. Beautiful writing. "

" More like a 2 & 1/2. Kept thinking it was going to be a great book, but it just never got there. "

" Found this very readable a real page turner. Invites comparisons with Lord of the Flies. "

" Easy to read, but not much happens really. And the attitude on the book about this wonderful beach, amoral POV and Thailand without Thais gets on my nerves - just like the film, really. "

" Suspense and cultural commentary are a rare combination. I really enjoyed The Beach. "

" Well...I liked the book so much I must be the only one who didn't hate the movie. Oh Leo! {sigh} "

" Dont let the bad movie deter you from reading this. I re-read it last year and it was just as good as I remembered. "

" LOVED IT! As always, the film does not do this book justice. It takes you away on an adventure that by the end, you are glad you survived! "

" A great book that is a must read for those backpacking. "

" I did not like this book. I was given a copy by a friend who said that I should read it. I could not even finish it. There was way too much swearing in it and I found it to be offensive. "

" It is rare to find a modern page turner.Fantastic. While i do have some gripes with the plot i don't want the minor details to sully Garlands appreciation. :) "

" The ultimate book for the modern day adventurer. This is one of those rare books that changed my life, at least until they made that awful movie based off of it. I think i own 6 copies of this book for various reasons. "

" Reread the beach!!! Had almost forgotten how good this book is! "

" Saw the movie ages ago and thought I'd give the book a shot. The movie just barely followed the plot of the book and was an awful depiction of the book. The book was an easy, exciting read tha kept me captivated the whole way through. I highly recommend! "

" I was impressed with Garland's style and story - a good debut. (a pity they made such a bad movie). "

" I watched the movie first.. I loved it. Then I read the book. My mind was blown away. "

" I was expecting something more supernatural and less realistic. It became frightening when I realized that everything he describes could actually happen. It started slow for me, but I ended up loving the story. "

" Really liked it but had questions on things that were not explained such as no pregnancies? And swimming underwater caves with heavy bags of rice - and keeping them dry? "

" A truly excellent read, as a travel novel, a philosophical reflection on contemporary youth, and a study of a young man's deteriorating sense of self. Fast-paced and striking (read cover to cover in one evening.) Looking forward to reading another novel by this author. "

" Lord of the Flies set in Thailand. What can I say? Way.Cool. "

" Lord of the Flies meets Scarface. Backpacker searching for utopia finds life gets in the way. Beach life is not all it’s cracked up to be. "