The Beach | Paperback

Having recently gotten back into reading, I decided to choose The Beach as my next read as I'd seen the film years ago and so couldn't remember a thing about the story.
Although it took me a little while to really get into the book, I think this was only to get used to the narration and the beginning really starts to come together a little later on.
On a whole, the book was brilliant, especially the main character Richard as I love his point of view on things and how he slips into 'reality', in which the reader can relate to, to really put you in his shoes.
If you're looking for a gripping read and a book you won't be able to put down, this is the one for you.

A true modern day classic, this book was simply excellent. With vivid descriptions, truly believable characters, an amazing story and the underlying themes this is a book you can rarely put down.
It's often compared slightly unfavourably with "Lord of the flies" and also draws comparisons from the film - but if you take this book on face value, with no pretenses of what you think you'll find, it is brilliant.

An American back packer called Richard is traveling around Thailand when he checks into a room, the guy next to him kills himself and leaves him a map to a secret island, descibed as the perfect paradise. Richard asks the french couple in the next room if they want to go with him. They set off to find the island, but maybe it's not the 'perfect paradise' they'd come to belive. I won't say anymore. The book is fast paced and made me feel a part of the book, i couldn't put it down. You get to become on a personal level with Richard and it gives you a closer understanding of the story.