A review by heyheycharly
On the Beach by Nevil Shute

4.0

This book is written in a simple, straightforward fashion- but by no means is the book or the plot itself simple or straightforward. We are introduced to a host of characters who are handling their coming demise in different ways. Some, like Mary, are in denial up to the very end. Some, like Peter, have quietly accepted their fate and want to live each day they can. Some, like Moira, are angry and try to drown themselves in drink. Regardless of how they each deal with the coming radiation cloud, it's coming and they'll all be dead no matter what. The author doesn't really give you hope (although the Seattle transmission was a bit of a teaser) of a cure or salvation, you know the whole time that this is going to happen and you're given a glimpse of these people before it's all over. This was fascinating to read and compare/contrast with how I think a coming apocalypse would go over in 2019. It's definitely a novel I'll be thinking about for years to come.