The Beach by Alex Garland
The novel follows a young British backpacker who, while traveling in Thailand, discovers a secret island utopia that is home to a small international community of travelers seeking to escape the tourist trail and modern society. Seduced by the idyllic setting and the promise of an alternative way of life, he joins the group, but as he becomes more entrenched in the island's routines and secrets, he realizes that this paradise is not as perfect as it appears. The community's isolation and the pressures of maintaining their hidden Eden lead to a breakdown of social norms and a spiral into paranoia, violence, and chaos, ultimately revealing the dark side of human nature and the illusion of utopia.
The 3185th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1996
- Nationality
- British
- Type
- Fiction
- Pages
- 448
- Words
- 156,000
- Original Language
- English
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following lists:
- 103rd on The Big Read (BBC)
- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (The Guardian)