747 reviews for:

On the Beach

Nevil Shute

3.85 AVERAGE

ladyash's review against another edition

5.0

Definitely an optimistic view of human nature at the time of an apocalypse. But so sweetly horrifying. Can there be a cozy post-apocalyptic story? Reminded me of [b:Alas, Babylon|38169|Alas, Babylon|Pat Frank|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169064009s/38169.jpg|37962], which is also one of my favorites.

hattea404's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Just a really interesting character study on what we might’ve done following a nuclear war. It’s interesting how some of the characters both acknowledge their impending doom and still plan for the future. So many Pele just working for something to do. And then slowly in the background this impending radiation coming to finish them all off. I cried at the end

bgrinter's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

tafrito's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

anniedrows's review against another edition

4.0

Bleak and sad but still compelling.

Mary was terribly annoying and melodramatic in her delusions. But the Moira/Dwight relationship was full of pathos. Yes, yes, the death of human civilization would seem to involve more misbehavior, but this was a (more) pleasant alternative.

renny_'s review against another edition

4.0

I'm really glad this is the one I chose to kick off 2019. I couldn't put it down! The story is more character driven than plot driven for sure, and that was fine by me. There's only one character I didn't care much about *cough* Mary *cough* but I understood why Shute wrote her the way that he did.

I loved how the novel captured the different ways people could approach their inevitable deaths - by denial, by keeping busy, by drinking themselves into oblivion; it reads like a character study more than anything. I especially loved Moira and Dwight. This one had been on my TBR for so long and I only wish I had read it sooner.

lizzie_bee_'s review against another edition

3.0

Good story, a little heart-breaking, but the writing leaves a bit to be desired.

grubbyknees's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

luxjudit's review against another edition

dark funny 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

4.0

blocalbertain's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense 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? Yes

3.25