tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post7409757137777149443..comments2023-07-10T01:17:13.383+10:00Comments on Brona's Books: On the Beach by Nevil ShuteBronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-66167820965728953182016-06-17T23:13:44.718+10:002016-06-17T23:13:44.718+10:00No I don't think I've ever seen a movie ve...No I don't think I've ever seen a movie version, but it would be fun. Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187730620736345378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-34842912272621266952016-06-15T16:38:48.344+10:002016-06-15T16:38:48.344+10:00The dialogue did jar a little, with the US Command...The dialogue did jar a little, with the US Commander constantly calling his girlfriend, 'honey', never using her name. But for the rest, I adored how polite everyone was to everyone else. So refreshing.<br /><br />I'm rather keen to check out both movie versions of this book now. Have you seen either of them?Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-62129554990409785852016-06-15T16:04:26.216+10:002016-06-15T16:04:26.216+10:00I read this about 15 years ago whilst recovering f...I read this about 15 years ago whilst recovering from a run of night shifts. That I can remember that speaks for how much I loved it. While the language was dated in a by jove kind of way from memory I found it a compelling page turner. Sad to say I can't remember specifics now after all this time, and rather incredibly it was before blogging/goodreads etc so it's a wonder I can remember anything at all... Glad you liked it too. Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13187730620736345378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-60957965342279294612016-06-15T09:22:45.165+10:002016-06-15T09:22:45.165+10:00Shute's decent version of the end of the world...Shute's decent version of the end of the world reminded my of the John Wyndham's I read in my twenties. Maybe it's an English sensibility, or more accurately a 1950's English sensibility.<br /><br />As I get older, I appreciate the good manners and civility and respect for others that they represent more and more.Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-61007388499612843822016-06-15T09:15:22.523+10:002016-06-15T09:15:22.523+10:00Thanks for the reminder TJ - I'll add your lin...Thanks for the reminder TJ - I'll add your link now :-)Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-60942145669329709352016-06-15T09:14:04.250+10:002016-06-15T09:14:04.250+10:00I was fascinated by their reaction to this inevita...I was fascinated by their reaction to this inevitable end. They weren't dreading it, thanks to the cyanide tablets, I guess. There was regret at the things they wouldn't do and some anger that the bloody rabbits would get to live longer than the humans, but most people seemed to find some kind of peace in knowing the whole family would die together, no-one would be left behind.<br /><br />Perhaps the experience of having some US navy in town showed the Melburnians that it could be worse - to still be alive knowing that all your family back home was gone.Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-37605639642088625302016-06-15T09:08:28.884+10:002016-06-15T09:08:28.884+10:00It not only got under my skin, it got into my drea...It not only got under my skin, it got into my dreams!<br /><br />I found the no panic bit the most disturbing in the end. But then I was reminded of Paul Kalanithi's dying memoir that I read earlier in the year when he said,<br /><br />"Before my cancer was diagnosed, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn't know when. After the diagnosis, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn't know when. But now I knew it acutely."<br /><br />Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-86071062389132991342016-06-14T06:00:28.012+10:002016-06-14T06:00:28.012+10:00It must be thirty years at least since I read this...It must be thirty years at least since I read this and my memories of it are very vague. You've made me want to do a re-read... I do like the idea that people would be decent and kind if they knew that the end was coming - I'd like to think we would react better than most of the dystopian fiction suggests...FictionFanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06212537466233602766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-58432620811817716492016-06-14T05:12:42.438+10:002016-06-14T05:12:42.438+10:00So glad you liked this! I know it's stayed wit...So glad you liked this! I know it's stayed with me since reading it for AusReading Month last year. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-6642106564682317852016-06-13T19:57:33.199+10:002016-06-13T19:57:33.199+10:00I read this a long time ago. I remember it being a...I read this a long time ago. I remember it being a superb but disturbing book. Such realistic story's of humanity's end tend to be. <br /><br />You raise a good point about the calmness surrounding the end of everything in this book. I think it adds a level of dread and horror that helps make this particular story unique. <br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-73790814720652880712016-06-13T19:45:40.903+10:002016-06-13T19:45:40.903+10:00Wonderful review and I loved the extra info about ...Wonderful review and I loved the extra info about real towns and race track. I did not know this info!<br />This book just subtly 'gets under your skin'. No panic, get the 'pills' and still they keep making plans for the garden. Uncanny. Tx for your kind ref to review. So glad you joined me in this 'On the Beach' experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com