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Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

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Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

What we're reading

Why did I read 'On The Beach'?

79 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/01/2013 20:01

Saw a recommendation here and thought it sounds just up my street.

It's the saddest book I've ever read :(

I dreamt about it last night (was up to the last chapter) and haven't been able to get it out of my head today. I just finished it it. Waaaaaah

So sad :(

OP posts:

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prettydaisies · 22/01/2013 21:09

This was one of my set texts for GCSE. I reread it some years later. I don't think I'd choose to read it again.

CoteDAzur · 14/01/2013 20:40

Me, too. I couldn't help thinking over and over - "Why oh why did I read this crap nonsense?"

zingally · 14/01/2013 18:56

I read 'On The Beach' a few years ago. It haunted me! Couldn't get it out of my head for weeks!

missnevermind · 07/01/2013 23:21

Thank God for Virtual chocolate, Diet started today.

Will PM you shortly Pom. Am just moving to the PC

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 07/01/2013 23:10

Autumnalis · 07/01/2013 23:10

I've just read Death of Grass. I received it as a Cmas present from my BIL, he knew I'd liked On The Beach. I still agree with a lot of Cote's posts about it. I said to myself I'd never read another Nevil Shute again. I wondered when reading it if the style was a metaphor, specially chosen. But then I read more about his other books too and I gather that that's all there is to it, no further layers or depths than what is in the text.

missnevermind · 07/01/2013 23:08

10 out of 10.
. I claim my prize.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 07/01/2013 23:03

Here you go Miss I wrote this one a while ago
It's a wee quiz about AM's dragons, you don't need to sign in or anything at all, just click to play as a guest. There's nothing needed, no email or anything :)

missnevermind · 07/01/2013 23:02

I have just read Death of Grass. The language made it really obvious how old the story was.
Good story all the same.

BadWickedWorld · 07/01/2013 22:59

Death of grass is pretty good also, quite a lot racist and sexist, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 07/01/2013 22:56

I have lots of tattoos all over me including Kipling and Tennyson quotes (so as not to be chavvy when my 3/4 length linen trews expose them of course )
Everything Miss I haven't ANY of his on the Kindle at all

missnevermind · 07/01/2013 22:55

My Tattoo is of an Anne McCaffrey baby golden dragon not long hatched.

missnevermind · 07/01/2013 22:54

Do you have a list of what is required Pom?

CoteDAzur · 07/01/2013 22:52

Pom - You really have a Heinlein tattoo on your leg?

I thought you were joking. Now I'm really glad that there were no tattoo parlors where I lived around the time I was really into Heinlein

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 07/01/2013 22:51

OO Grimma - that would have been scary for her. I think it is "readers of a certain age" who get On The Beach and similar things, it's like the video for Two Tribes that they banned in the 80s. You were either there and Get It, or you're too young and it's just meaningless...

CoteDAzur · 07/01/2013 22:50

I found it. EUR 4.90 on Amazon.fr

Reminiscing about old favourites, I will now have to read Dune and its 5 sequels, too.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 07/01/2013 22:49

OOO OOO can you share/send/lend/give out his books on the Kindle miss ?

GrimmaTheNome · 07/01/2013 22:48

I havent read On The Beach, but saw the film many years ago - must be ages, as a teen, and mum saying how during the Cuban Missile crisis they'd had to think what you'd actually do with your small children if the worst happened

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 07/01/2013 22:48

I couldn't go to the US for his centennial celebrations, so I made do with a mug and a Tshirt and a programme mail order, and they have his naval academy portrait on, so he looks all young and ernest, Space Cadet style, and
under his picture they have his name and dates and "I Answer for Him" and on the back they have the "Wheeler, Rivera.." roll call.
So I have the portrait and the initials and the date and "I Answer for Him" ah, concealed about my person shall we say on my leg

missnevermind · 07/01/2013 22:47

If you can't find it Cote just PM me. I have 83 of his books on the kindle

missnevermind · 07/01/2013 22:44

Ooooo Poms Bosooms.
Is this my close up of the Tat then. I'm a bit steamed up.

CoteDAzur · 07/01/2013 22:44

Mmmmm.... I feel like reading TEFL again. Wonder if it has a Kindle edition...

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missnevermind · 07/01/2013 22:42

Sorry I now want to hear about Poms RAH tattoo!

I like all he ones about 'The Family' but my favourites are Friday and Number of he Beast.

CoteDAzur · 07/01/2013 22:42

Erm... I've read every book he has ever written, I think. Including the silly TIFL spin-offs where Lazarus Long goes back in time to make love to his mum etc.

I haven't read SIASL for 20 years or so and even wanted to be a "fair witness" for a short while until I realised that there is no such profession

I have fond memories of Friday, I Will Fear No Evil, and Job. But my favorite is still Time Enough For Love.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 07/01/2013 22:40

A Kindred Spirit how lovely

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