43 pages • 1 hour read
On the Beach
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Book Brief
296
Novel • Fiction
Australia • 1960s
1957
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
On the Beach by Nevil Shute follows a group of people in Melbourne, Australia, as they confront the inevitability of death due to radioactive fallout from a nuclear war that has obliterated the Northern Hemisphere, facing their final days with various degrees of denial, hope, and acceptance. The story contains depictions of death by euthanasia in adults and children.
Melancholic
Dark
Contemplative
Emotional
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
51,858 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Nevil Shute's On the Beach is lauded for its poignant exploration of human resilience in the face of global catastrophe, with many praising its emotional depth and character development. However, some find its pacing slow and its tone overly melancholic. Overall, it remains a powerful, thought-provoking narrative on the human condition.
Who Should Read On the Beach?
Readers who appreciate apocalyptic fiction with profound emotional depth will enjoy Nevil Shute's On the Beach. Fans of Cormac McCarthy's The Road or George Orwell's 1984 may find this poignant exploration of human resilience and the finality of global catastrophe particularly compelling.
51,858 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Dwight Towers
Dwight Towers
A U.S. Navy officer stranded in Australia, displaying professionalism and dedication despite personal losses. His leadership emphasizes military protocol, and he forms a friendship with Peter Holmes.
Mary Holmes
Mary Holmes
Peter Holmes’s wife, embodying the 1950s housewife archetype, who focuses on domestic life to shield herself from the harsh realities of their situation. Her planning for the future contrasts with the unfolding apocalypse.
Moira Davidson
Moira Davidson
A lively young woman who initially turns to revelry post-war, but her friendship with Dwight inspires her towards personal growth. She adjusts from a life of indulgence to one of purposeful engagement.
John Osborne
John Osborne
A scientist aboard the Scorpion and Moira's cousin, who decides to spend his remaining time pursuing his passion for racing. He balances duty with the pursuit of personal satisfaction.
296
Novel • Fiction
Australia • 1960s
1957
Adult
18+ years
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