close
The Beach Audiobook, by Alex Garland Play Audiobook Sample

The Beach Audiobook

The Beach Audiobook, by Alex Garland Play Audiobook Sample
FlexPass™ Price: $17.95
$9.95 for new members!
(Includes UNLIMITED podcast listening)
  • Love your audiobook or we'll exchange it
  • No credits to manage, just big savings
  • Unlimited podcast listening
Add to Cart
$9.95/m - cancel anytime - 
learn more
OR
Regular Price: $20.95 Add to Cart
Read By: Michael Page Publisher: Penguin Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 7.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: June 2022 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780593665305

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

17

Longest Chapter Length:

74:11 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

12 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

39:44 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

3

Other Audiobooks Written by Alex Garland: > View All...

Publisher Description

The irresistible novel that was adapted into a major motion picture starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The Khao San Road, Bangkok -- first stop for the hordes of rootless young Westerners traveling in Southeast Asia. On Richard's first night there, in a low-budget guest house, a fellow traveler slashes his wrists, bequeathing to Richard a meticulously drawn map to "the Beach." The Beach, as Richard has come to learn, is the subject of a legend among young travelers in Asia: a lagoon hidden from the sea, with white sand and coral gardens, freshwater falls surrounded by jungle, plants untouched for a thousand years. There, it is rumored, a carefully selected international few have settled in a communal Eden. Haunted by the figure of Mr. Duck -- the name by which the Thai police have identified the dead man -- and his own obsession with Vietnam movies, Richard sets off with a young French couple to an island hidden away in an archipelago forbidden to tourists. They discover the Beach, and it is as beautiful and idyllic as it is reputed to be. Yet over time it becomes clear that Beach culture, as Richard calls it, has troubling, even deadly, undercurrents. Spellbinding and hallucinogenic, The Beach by Alex Garland -- both a national bestseller and his debut -- is a highly accomplished and suspenseful novel that fixates on a generation in their twenties, who, burdened with the legacy of the preceding generation and saturated by popular culture, long for an unruined landscape, but find it difficult to experience the world firsthand.

Download and start listening now!

"This book was amazing. I have been reading things for school all year and finally had a chance to read something for pleasure and for myself, and i am so glad i chose the beach. Not only does this make me want to run out and get anything Alex Garland has written, but I appreciate the movie (2000 with leonardo dicaprio) much more now. I do not even like travel writing, but this book's story was so intense that it did not read as a travel novel. I've heard this called a cult classic and that is exactly what it is, and i am more than happy to have finally joined the cult :)"

— Colleen (5 out of 5 stars)

Awards

  • Winner of Betty Trask Prize & Award (UK)

The Beach Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.9696969696969697 out of 53.9696969696969697 out of 53.9696969696969697 out of 53.9696969696969697 out of 53.9696969696969697 out of 5 (3.97)
5 Stars: 12
4 Stars: 13
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Calandra, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Nick, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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...? "

    — Roxanne, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Kelli, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " much better than the movie! "

    — Jana, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Sums up a time and a place for me "

    — Nick, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Carey, 12/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Cameron, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Bert, 12/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Kaz, 11/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Callen, 11/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Marlo, 11/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Wispywillow, 11/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Lucy, 2/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Frank, 2/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Joseph, 1/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Gwendolina, 10/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Scott, 9/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Kristin, 8/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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! "

    — Paul, 5/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Daz, 4/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Emily, 1/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. :) "

    — Lewis, 1/1/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Mark, 7/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Sampatkar, 6/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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! "

    — Corinna, 6/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Dan, 6/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Dina, 6/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — Kim, 6/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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? "

    — MalibuLisa, 6/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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. "

    — je-ne-sais-kat, 5/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — Nancy, 5/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

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

    — O.C., 5/10/2011

About Alex Garland

Alex Garland is a British novelist, screenwriter, and film producer.

About Michael Page

Michael Page has been recording audiobooks since 1984 and has over two hundred titles to his credit. He has won numerous Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As a professional actor, he has performed regularly since 1998 with the Peterborough Players in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He is a professor of theater at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.