A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Town Like Alice
Book Review: Addictive Story
Summary: 4 Stars
I read "A Town Like Alice" in the span of two evenings -- it was difficult to put down, especially after I got through the opening few pages. The characters were well-drawn and easy to sympathize with, and I liked that Shute left a little to the reader's imagination. He doesn't provide a lot of details about scenery or character appearances, but gives just enough information that you have a good basis for your own imaginations. I imagined Jean Paget, for example, as a bit like Audrey Hepburn, especially when she spoke.
Aside from the Japanese captors at the beginning of the book, the book has no real dark presence; after the war, the book is generally a positive one, full of good-natured, hard-working people taking life in the Outback one day at a time. Strangely, the book also has no real climax -- Jean's capture, her release, her travel to and in Australia, and even her marriage are taken as a matter of course. All in all, it's simply a very easy-going book, and when I finished it I felt refreshed, and like I'd participated in someone else's life for a few days.
The book was so "pleasant," as a matter of fact, that I wasn't left with too many lingering questions at the end. This is good and bad: while the book was an enjoyable read, it was not at all challenging, and I don't feel like I really learned anything from it. I just had fun reading it.
A minor annoyance: Jean's manner of speaking. Toward the end of the novel, I was cringing whenever she spoke, because her sentences almost always seemed to end with the name of the person she was speaking to: "Tell me more, Joe." "What was that like, Joe?" "Do you think it will work, Noel?" Every sentence. No other character does that, except perhaps for Joe Harman with his repetitive "Oh my word." But these are, again, minor details in what was otherwise a delightful read.
Book Review: Alice really captures the spirit of a dying empire.
Summary: 2 Stars
Shute has a fluid writing style, and keeps the reader moving along, but to what purpose? It is such a period piece, celebrating the stiff upper lip to the nth-degree. Disparaging those silly women on the death march who weakly gave into showing their suffering. The good children never whimpered once Mother is laid to her final rest. This book is a touchstone for understanding the romance of the British middle classes at mid-century. It perfectly details the arrogance of the Great White conqueror.Book Review: Amazing!
Summary: 2 Stars
I just finished reading A Town Like Alice for what must be the 12th-plus time in a 20-year love affair with this story. The range of reviews for the book surprised me. What other readers saw as boring I saw as the refreshing way Nevil Shute tells a complex story where the events speak for themselves, without resorting to schmaltz or over-dramatization. The strength of Jean's character alone is a standout in quiet feminie heroism. The prior reviews have also criticized the handling of Joe Harmon's character as being "two-dimensional", but I believe Mr. Shute remains true to Joe's quiet and simple nature--and the story is, after all, mainly Jean's anyway.As to the complaints of racism, the novel represents what was then the unfortunate attitudes of the white settlers to the Aboriginal natives. Would the same reviewers have criticized Margaret Mitchell's handling of black slaves in Gone With the Wind? A Town Like Alice shows realism in characters and their attitudes, it is not a story of civil rights or political correctness.
A truly moving and poignant love story, one of the best of its time and indeed, of today as well.
Book Review: An adventure and love story by one of the best.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book by Nevil Shute was presented in a PBS series and if you saw the movie you should read the book. Nevil Shute is a master storyteller and this is one of his best.The story chronicals a young English womans forced march through southeast Asia as a war prisoner and her life afterwards as she leaves her home to find the Austrailian soldier who helped her.Together they begin to build a small outback settlement into their dream town, " A town like Alice". This is a great book for all ages and I am sure after reading it you too will become a Nevil Shute fan.Book Review: An engaging tale
Summary: 5 Stars
A Town Like Alice is a touching story. It is written in a simple manner and is a quick read. The characters are 60 years old, so there is racism and classism in the book. One needs to keep that in mind during the story. The characters are engaging and the story is so interesting. While reading this book, I kept a map out so that I could follow where the characters go. There are so many locations and settings which make the book thoroughly entertaining. I highly recommend this book.