A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Town Like Alice
Book Review: Great book
Summary: 5 Stars
This feels almost like two different books, such is the compelling strength of the section set in WW2 where our heroine (Jean Paget) is leading a group of women who are captured and are being marched hundreds of miles by the japs. The Japanese weren't going to kill women and children but barely had enough supplies for their own soldiers so they just kept moving the women on with lies of a womens P.O.W. camp in the next place. During this time an Australian soldier (Joe Harman) steals food for them and gets caught and punished. The story is narrated by Jean Pagets solicitor. After the war she inherits a lot of money and goes back to a village that looked after her to build a well. This in turn inspires her to want to go to Joe Harmans rundown old town and do it up till it's `A Town Like Alice' (Alice Springs- a thriving town).
It's a very compelling story told by her solicitor who is very enamoured of her but knows his place (he's 73) though his feelings are very subtly and respectfully represented by the author. It's not perfect- one or two too many coincidences and sometimes it's frustrating when the author delays things happening. But a great book with a beautiful bitter sweet ending. Your heart will ache for the women and children being forced to march 10 to 15 miles for two years with many dying on the way and all suffering and will ache for the sweet old man that met the perfect woman 'forty years too late'.
Book Review: I wanted to stay inside the book forever
Summary: 4 Stars
I actually listened to this book unabridged on tape, read by a very skilled actor who brought all the characters alive with his renditions of the different accents - - - I was captivated by the story utterly and completely. I admire Jean so very much - an original feminist hero. I found the book to be very thought provoking about colonialism and racism, and I wonder how accurately Mr. Shute portrayed the Malayans view of the English and the Japanese. I wondered throughout, if the story could possibly be based on a true story.Book Review: It brought me to tears- of boredom
Summary: 1 Stars
As the title says above, it was so boring I'm amazed i even finished reading the book without falling into a Coma. In fact, the only reason I read this book was for an english assignment, and have regreted it ever since.Book Review: Loved the book,story is timeless
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read A Town Like Alice at least ten or twelve times. I discovered it while in high school and continue to pick it up at the ripe old age of 55.Every time I read it I find something new in it. Courage is timeless,love is timeless. Great writing is timeless.Book Review: MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!
Summary: 5 Stars
NEVIL SHUTE CAPTURED MY ATTENTION AND MY HEART WITH THIS BOOK. I COULD READ THIS BOOK A HUNDRED TIMES AND STILL BE CONTENT. WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY!