Reviews

On the Beach by Nevil Shute

lanafirth's review

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mbfox's review

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

chloekg's review against another edition

4.0

There's a neat parallel between the reader and characters, because everyone knows how it ends at the beginning. It's a fun social study with interesting results. I can't imagine reading the book without having to consider one's own desires in such a situation.

megadeathvsbooks's review against another edition

5.0

Shute dealt with catastrophic events with nuance and depth. As depressing as the story was, it was engaging and thoughtful. It got to the heart of what it might be like to live in the final days.

marinandherbooks's review

I just don’t need to know every single thought going through the main character’s head. 

karinlib's review against another edition

4.0

I have wanted to read this book for years, after I had seen a snippet of the movie. The book did not disappoint.

Radiation from nuclear bombs have wiped out the Northern Hemisphere, and it is slowly moving south. Dwight Towers, Moira Davidson, Peter and Mary Holmes are all waiting in Melbourne Australia for the inevitable.

08/28/2023: I read this again for a challenge (actually 2 challenges). Despite the topic: Radiation from bombs wiping out the entire world. I really like being in Shute's world.

nrweinst's review against another edition

3.75

A wonderfully utopian book that could perhaps only take place in Australia. Lovable read but felt of a different time to me

s_tori's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad

4.0

just_carin's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

krissew21's review against another edition

1.0

Okay...so maybe this book wasn't absolutely terrible..but I don't like stories that don't have semi-happy endings (which I understand is absolutely stereotypical) but seriously..this book had the most unhappy, hopeless ending ever.