Richard lands in Thailand and receives a map to a beach paradise through the kindness of a stranger, who soon thereafter commits suicide. The residents attack the dead bodies in a bizarre display of primitive behavior, and when they discover that the Americans were sent to their island by Richard, they turn on him. Garland’s first novel, The Beach was critically acclaimed for reflecting the aspirations and dreads of Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1983).
Richard lands in Thailand and receives a map to a beach paradise through the kindness of a …
help you understand the book. Although "The Beach" is a travel adventure novel, it also has a dark and a disturbing atmosphere. Sal assigns Richard to eliminate the deranged Swede so all of the loose ends will be tied up and they can return to normal. Once arriving at the island, they try to assimilate into the spirit of the place, but there are several factors preventing this; mainly that Richard has shared the map with some Americans who are on their way to the beach, and that the other half of paradise is occupied by gun carrying guards who are protecting an illegal crop of marijuana. Richard plans to escape the island, and will take Etienne, Francoise, Jed and Keaty with him. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Beach. This Study Guide consists of approximately 36 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - Richard is in England at the end of the book, working at a mundane job, admiring his scars.
It almost works, but as the group is preparing to have their festival, the Americans come ashore and are tortured and killed by the Thai guards. The guards say no more visitors or additions to the commune, and leave. While Jed and Richard are waiting for the Americans to attempt to get to the beach commune, the entire commune gets food poisoning. Richard is bored with paradise by now, and sees the possibility of the Americans' arrival as an interesting development. Soon after, Jed discovers that the Americans are on the next island and coming to the island. His stay at the shoddy guest-house in Bangkok is cut short when he is given a map and when the map creator subsequently commits suicide. This study guide contains the following sections: This detailed literature summary also contains Topics for Discussion and a Free Quiz on Since the death of Daffy, the man who gave him the map, Richard has been dreaming of Daffy, and begins to see him when he is awake as well. Richard tries to blend in to the commune but is soon bored. Richard's group has wisely armed themselves with spears and defend him, then rush to the rafts and escape the island. The Beach by Alex Garland. Richard meets Etienne and Francoise and the three decide to find the island.
The Beach by Alex Garland is the story of a young British man who escapes his life through travel, largely funded by his family. The story is related by Richard through first person. One Swede is killed, one is seriously injured, and one goes mad.
During a mission to acquire rice, one of the commune members, Jed, learns that Richard has given someone a map. Wow, my head is all messed up after reading this book. Richard pairs up with a French couple and the three manage to follow the map and join the beach commune.
His indiscretion in sharing the map with some Americans and then not telling anyone about it leads to the ultimate downfall of the commune. Richard slips into the tent where Jed has been caring for one of the injured Swedes and finds Jed asleep. The commune also indulges in coconut beer, and soon everyone, including some of Richard's friends, are drunk and hallucinating. The Beach (1996) by English novelist Alex Garland follows an optimistic and slightly delusional English tourist as he travels to Thailand seeking a Utopia. Just before Richard and his group attempt their escape, the Thai guards arrive, beat up Richard, and deposit the dead bodies of the Americans in front of the commune. Before this can be resolved, three of the commune members, the Swedes, are attacked by a shark. The story is related by Richard through first person.