Read & Cook – On the Beach by Nevil Shute and chicken shawarma recipe

Posted: March 11, 2026 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Recipes, Review, Robbie Reads and Cooks | Tags: #ReadandCook, #recipe, #RobbieCheadle, Book Review, Chicken Shawarmas, Neville Shute, On the Beach, Read and Cook, Robbie Cheadle, Writing to be Read | 54 Comments

Given the current state of affairs in the world, I think now is a good time to share my review of this post and pre-apocalyptic novel.

My review of On the Beach by Nevil Shute

One the Beach is a post-apocalyptic novel set in Australia. The Northern Hemisphere has been completely destroyed by a nuclear war, and the residents of Southern Hemisphere are waiting for the inevitable arrival of deadly radiation. The story is set in Australia during the heat of the summer, and all of the characters are struggling to come to grips with their situations as short-term survivors of the war and the awful knowledge of their impending deaths from radiation as the nuclear fallout travels steadily southwards.

Lieutenant Commander Peter Holmes of the Royal Australian Navy is given a new and welcome assignment during this period of waiting for the inevitable deaths of himself and his family. He is appointed as the liaison officer to the American submarine, the U.S.S. Scorpion, commanded by Dwight Towers from New England in the U.S.A. The Scorpion had been near Australian waters when the global conflict erupted, and Towers and his men are now stranded with no country or homes to return to. There is an immediate contrast between the two men, Holmes and Towers, as Holmes still has his home, his wife and his baby daughter while Towers knows his home and family are gone. Towers, however, has retreated into fantasy of a sort where he still thinks of his wife and children as being alive and well and waiting for his return home even though he knows they are dead. It is incredibly moving and makes Towers’ loss that much more tragic and poignant.

Towers’ submarine has been placed under Australian command and Holmes is tasked with inspecting the Scorpion and briefing Towers about their orders to set out northwards in search of surviving life. This mission gives Holmes a small glimmer of hope that all might not be lost. In an attempt to distract Towers from his unhappy situation, Holmes extends an invitation for Towers to visit his home in Falmouth and enjoy the beach and time with Holmes’ family and friends. Towers accepts and during the visit is introduced to Moira Davidson, a beautiful and engaging young lady who has turned to alcohol and partying for solace.

The story involves three primary threads, namely, the journey of the submarine and its findings, a light romance of a sort between Moira and Towers, and the preparations by the Australian characters for their eventual deaths from radiation.

This story was an exceptionally intense and sad read for me as the characters are all such decent and ordinary people. The beach setting and sunny days at the beginning of the story combined with the forced merrymaking and pleasure taking of Holmes group of acquaintances slowly gives way to the cold and bleakness of winter and the acceptance by the various characters of their deaths. Many choose to end their lives with a pill provided by the Government for this purpose prior to succumbing to the radiation poisoning. There is no happy ending to this story and that is what’s so striking and awful about this story. There is no hope for survival for anyone right from the beginning. This is one of the few books I’ve read in my life that has made me cry.

The standout theme for me of this novel is finding meaning and purpose in the face of certain death. All of the characters in On the Beach exist in a strange period of time between the ending of the Northern Hemisphere through nuclear war and the ending of their own existence when the radioactive fallout reaches them, a period of approximately six months. The novel delves into the reactions of different people to an uncontrollable situation that can only end in death and demonstrates how some people can rise above despair and self-pity and make the most of the time they have left. Some characters turn to perpetual drunkenness or reckless car racing, but many resolve to carry on to the end with dignity and continue to do their duty. For Holmes, his duty includes continuing with his navel duties even though they ultimately become irrelevant. His wife continues to care for their baby daughter and run her home as if nothing could ever harm them.

This book was written at the height of the Cold War when the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in ideological rivalry and a nuclear arms race. On the Beach reflects the fears of the period about a potential nuclear war and the destructive potential of atomic bombs.

Quotes from On the Beach

“It’s not the end of the world at all,” he said. “It’s only the end of us. The world will go on just the same, only we shan’t be in it. I dare say it will get along all right without us.” Dwight Towers raised his head. “I suppose that’s right. There didn’t seem to be much wrong with Cairns, or Port Moresby either.” He paused, thinking of the flowering trees that he had seen on shore through the periscope, cascaras and flame trees, the palms standing in the sunlight. “Maybe we’ve been too silly to deserve a world like this,” he said. The scientist said, “That’s absolutely and precisely right.” There didn’t seem to be much more to say upon that subject, so they went up on to the bridge for a smoke, in the sunlight and fresh air.”

“Mary looked at her gratefully. “Well, that’s what I think. I mean, I couldn’t bear to—to just stop doing things and do nothing. You might as well die now and get it over.” Moira nodded. “If what they say is right, we’re none of us going to have time to do all that we planned to do. But we can keep on doing it as long as we can.”

“Two days later they reached Port Darwin and lay in the harbour beneath the town. Here they could see nothing but the wharf, the roof of Government House, and a bit of the Darwin Hotel. Fishing boats lay at anchor and they cruised around these, hailing, and examining them through the periscope. They learned nothing, save for the inference that when the end had come the people had died tidily. “It’s what animals do,” John Osborne said. “Creep away into holes to die. They’re probably all in bed.” “That’s enough about that,” the captain said. “It’s true,” the scientist remarked. “Okay, it’s true. Now let’s not talk about it any more.” The report certainly was going to be a difficult one to write.”

Purchase On the Beach from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Beach-Nevil-Shute/dp/0307473996

Recipe for chicken shawarmas

Marinade

15 ml garlic flakes

15 ml ground coriander

15 ml cardamon

5 ml ground cayenne pepper

20 ml ground paprika

10 ml chicken stock powder

black pepper to taste

10 ml lemon juice

45 ml olive oil

Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add 8 cubed skinless chicken breasts, cover, and leave to marinade for at least three hours. Overnight is best.

Cook the chicken pieces in a wok or frying pan until they are cooked through.

Yoghurt sauce

250 ml double thick Greek yoghurt

10 ml garlic flakes

5 ml cumin

2,5 ml lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl.

Slice5 or 6 flatbreads in half. Slice tomato, red onion, cheese, and lettuce.

Assemble your shawarmas by adding a layer of lettuce, tomato, cheese, red onion, and chicken and topping it all with the yoghurt sauce.

About Robbie Cheadle

South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, written and illustrated four poetry books and written and illustrated one celebration of cake and fondant art book with recipes. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

Find Robbie Cheadle

Blog https://wordpress.com/home/robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com

Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyFo_OJLPqFa9ZhHnCfHUA

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle

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This segment of “Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and their themed anthologies.

Tales From the Hanging Tree: Imprints of Tragedy: There exists a tree that is timeless, spanning across all dimensions, which absorbs every life as those who are hanged as they die… and it remembers every one. The stories within are a select few of the Tales From the Hanging Tree. 

Curses: Chronicles of Darkness:

There are all types of curses.

Cursed places, cursed items, cursed people, cursed families.

Curses that last throughout time. Curses which can’t be broken. Curses which are brought upon ourselves. Curses that will kill you and those that will only make you wish you were dead.

Legends: Monsters That Go Bump in the Night: Coming in 2026

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