On the Beach in Retro Chapter Chicks

May 10, 2012 Book Concierge rated it really liked it

Shelves: movie, australia, library, concierge, strong-women, science

This post-apocalyptic novel was published in 1957 and set in the future – 1963 (though current readers might consider it “historical”). It takes place primarily in and around Melbourne Australia. World War has decimated the northern hemisphere a year or two previously, and the nuclear debris is slowly spreading on the winds to the southern hemisphere. The population knows that the end is coming; in about nine months they will all get radiation sickness and die. But for now … the sun shines, peop This post-apocalyptic novel was published in 1957 and set in the future – 1963 (though current readers might consider it “historical”). It takes place primarily in and around Melbourne Australia. World War has decimated the northern hemisphere a year or two previously, and the nuclear debris is slowly spreading on the winds to the southern hemisphere. The population knows that the end is coming; in about nine months they will all get radiation sickness and die. But for now … the sun shines, people go to work (albeit on horseback or via bicycle since they have no petrol), babies are born, children attend school, sports matches are played, beach and picnic outings are had … in short, life goes on.

I cannot remember the last time I was so affected by a book. Part of my reaction, I’m sure, harkens back to my own days as a child during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War. I lived in a military town, and we felt we would be a prime target if bombs were launched against us. I remember the “duck and cover” drills, the discussions I had with my parents about what to do if “something happened” while I was at school. On a basic level, this book touched and awakened all those fears and insecurities.

I’ve had dreams about the situation these characters find themselves in. What would I do if I knew I was going to die? Would I plant daffodil bulbs I’d never see flower? Would I start a new course of study I’d always wanted to pursue, knowing I’d never finish it and never be able to get a job in that career field? Would I abandon my duties and obligations to indulge in hobbies? Would I give up and seek the numbing effects of alcohol? Would I embrace the chance at a new love? Would I kill my baby or my elderly parents to ensure they didn’t suffer? Would I end it quickly or die a slow agonizing death, knowing my loved ones, friends, neighbors, countrymen were all dying similarly?

It’s not a “teary” book, but I was in tears at the end. I’m really glad I finally read this book that has been on my tbr list for (literally) decades.
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Mar 06, 2025 Celia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2025-read, ten-year-challenge, kindle-list, 2025-kindle-counted, 2024-w-rcc

Nevil Shute’s On the Beach (1957) is a hauntingly poignant post-apocalyptic novel that explores the aftermath of global nuclear war. Set in Australia, the story follows a small group of survivors awaiting the inevitable arrival of deadly radiation from the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike many apocalyptic tales that focus on immediate devastation and chaos, On the Beach takes a more introspective and deeply human approach, examining how people come to terms with their impending doom.

The novel’s centr Nevil Shute’s On the Beach (1957) is a hauntingly poignant post-apocalyptic novel that explores the aftermath of global nuclear war. Set in Australia, the story follows a small group of survivors awaiting the inevitable arrival of deadly radiation from the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike many apocalyptic tales that focus on immediate devastation and chaos, On the Beach takes a more introspective and deeply human approach, examining how people come to terms with their impending doom.

The novel’s central characters include Commander Dwight Towers, an American submarine captain; Moira Davidson, a young woman struggling with the knowledge of her limited future; Peter Holmes, an Australian naval officer; and his wife, Mary, who tries to maintain a sense of normalcy for their baby daughter, Jennifer. Their daily lives unfold with an eerie sense of calm, as they engage in ordinary activities—gardening, racing cars, and holding onto love—despite knowing that their time is running out.

Shute’s writing is understated yet deeply effective. His prose lacks the sensationalism often found in post-apocalyptic fiction, making the narrative even more chilling. Rather than depicting mass hysteria, he presents a society that faces extinction with quiet dignity, highlighting the resilience and fragility of the human spirit. I WAS impressed as I read this.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its emotional weight. The characters’ struggles and denial, as well as their eventual acceptance of fate, feel deeply personal and relatable. The book raises powerful questions about mortality, responsibility, and how people choose to live when faced with inevitable death.

The story is slow-paced, but, surprisingly, I stayed engaged. The people seemed so real. The story happens in Melbourne Australia, the southern most city in the world that is large. I live in Melbourne, FL. No wonder these people felt like neighbors.

The lack of dramatic conflict may make the story feel subdued, but this also reinforces the novel’s theme of quiet resignation.

Overall, On the Beach is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that remains relevant in today’s world. Its meditation on nuclear war and human endurance continues to resonate, making it a classic of post-apocalyptic literature.

5 stars ...more

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