"On the Beach" is a post-apocalyptic novel written by Nevil Shute, published in 1957. The story is set in Australia after a nuclear war has devastated the Northern Hemisphere, leaving the Southern Hemisphere to face the inevitable spread of radiation. The narrative follows a group of survivors as they grapple with the reality of their impending doom. The main characters include Dwight Towers, a U.S. Navy submarine commander, and Moira Davidson, a local woman. As they form relationships and confront their fate, the novel explores themes of love, loss, and the human spirit in the face of extinction.