The Beach

By: Alex Garland

Narrated by: Alfie Allen

The classic story of paradise found - and lost.

Richard lands in East Asia in search of an earthly utopia. In Thailand he is given a map promising an unknown island, a secluded beach - and a new way of life.

What Richard finds when he gets there is breathtaking: more extraordinary, more frightening than his wildest dreams. But how long can paradise survive here on Earth? And what lengths will Richard go to in order to save it?

©1996 Alex Garland (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Must read before you die

Alex Garland paints the journey of a young man in search of a form of paradise. The main character dances off of the pages and haunts the reader/listener long after travelling with him on his journey. The world Garland creates is authentic to the point that one gets trapped in it for a short while and wonders if Garland isn't merely retelling a personal experience. The element of surrealism and the exploration of the main character's subconscious is as fantastical as it is disturbing. "The Beach" is an investigation of a young man's conscious, self-identified 'want' and the uncomfortable discovery of his subconscious 'need'. Garland's work is captivating to say the least.

Loved the English

All in all an extremely well written book. Didn't care about the characters that much, but I loved the book for the witty language.