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Content snapshot
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Violence
A lot
Violence that escalates as the commune's social structure fails; a significant violent confrontation
Language
Some
Some strong language
Sexual Content
Some
Adult content; relationships within the commune
Substance Use
Some
Marijuana cultivation is part of the commune's economy; drug use throughout
Emotional Intensity
A lot
The corruption of paradise; the violence latent in any community under pressure; Richard's growing moral compromise
What this book is about
Richard is a young British backpacker in Thailand who receives a map to a secret beach — a paradise hidden from tourists, maintained by a commune of self-selected travelers. He finds it. It is paradise. Then things begin to break down. Alex Garland's debut thriller is about the fantasy of escape, the corruption of utopia, and what humans do when the social contract is removed.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Violence escalating as the commune breaks down
Drug cultivation and use throughout
Reader Verification
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