On The Beach is a chilling and somber look at the death of the modern world by novelist Nevil Shute. It was made into a 1959 film with Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner, and a Showtime miniseries in 2000. Written in 1957, it follows an Australian community awaiting the contaminated cloud of nuclear radiation spreading across the world towards them.
No one can recall how it happened, perhaps there were several mistakes, with one country firing on another, the other firing back - the result being worldwide devastation and nuclear fallout spreading across the Northern Hemisphere, completely killing all life. Global air currents are moving the radioactive cloud towards Australia and South America, where several survivors await the end. As the government hands out free suicide pills, other turn to drinking or racing cars at deadly speed - they have no hope. Oddly, the Navy has detected an incomprehensible morse code from the Seattle area and sends a submarine crew up to investigate. Along the way they stop at various ports to test if the cloud has dissipated and perhaps life can continue there. Once in Seattle, they discover the source of the signal.
The majority of the novel deals with the psychological effects certain death brings. Some court death without care, some families settle into bed as the father administers deadly injections. Moira seems the most optimistic character, as she takes a new course and improves her life due to meeting Navy Commander Dwight Towers, who nevertheless lives with the delusion his family are waiting for him in America. It's not easy to follow characters living their days with the usual routine when we both know the outcome. I would say it's serious rather than depressing, though it can be difficult reading - more so in the knowledge that it could become reality all too quickly. The desperation of the characters mellows into terrible resignation - this is not an uplifting book, but well written and deserving of its classic status. Written in 1957, it lays the blame on inept, shortsighted and hotheaded men in power who solve problems with the push of a button. Things have not improved in 60 years.
My other reviews for Nevil Shute:
1957 / Hardcover / 312 pages
Comments