The Beach by Alex Garland

When I bought this book, what caught my attention was the fact that it is a story regarding  backpacking in Asia. I am somewhat of a traveler and a backpacker myself so it got me very interested. After several pages, my husband mentioned that it is the same story as the movie of the same title starred by Leonardo DiCaprio. I did watch that film ages ago and all I remember was this sexy beach scene Leo had with a very beautiful French actress. So that pretty much hyped my excitement to finish this book. As it turned out, it's not just about the thrill of  backpacking in Asia. It was way, way more than that.

Richard, the main character of the novel, went to Bangkok for some backpacking adventure. Koh Sanh Road, the backpacking haven in Bangkok, was where he first stayed. There he met several other characters that led him to find a map to the notoriously kept secret beach. Together with newfound French friends, they went on a quest  crossing seas, climbing cliffs, jumping off waterfalls, trespassing a marijuana plantation  guarded by  VCs (Vietcongs) until finally, they reached their destination and found a small sustainable community of backpackers who has been living there in secret for quite some time now. Thus begins a new chapter in Richard's life at the beach. His only mistake was when he left a copy of the map to some other travelers over at the main land.

 

Life on the beach is not like your usual cup of tea. But for a hardcore backpacker like Richard, it was pure heaven on the first several months he was there, at least. Chores were made, errands were run and rules were followed. From time to time,they get to have some fun playing games and smoking dope. But trouble started when few other backpackers from the main land tried to follow Richard based on the map he left. This coincided with few other mishaps on the beach like food poisoning among the inhabitants, shark bites that lead to deaths and the capture of these other beach hunters who followed him. Will Richard survive this event in his life? Will he still be able to go back to his home country? Find out more as his adventure continues!