A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Town Like Alice
Book Review: Monotonous
Summary: 1 Stars
Although this book has its interesting points, all value is totally washed away by the drudgery of facts completely insignificant to the story. It drags on about very boring things that have absolutely no relevance (how good she is at making shoes, etc). The romance is quite artifical also, as Joe and Jean knew each other in the war for a very short time. Undying love as shown in the book cannot convincingly develop in this short span. There is no chemistry between these characters; they are in love with the symbolism that the other provides. Painful to read, utter dribble. As I said, its has good points, but by the time the book was over I wanted to shoot myself from boredom. Avoid this book.Book Review: Not to be missed
Summary: 5 Stars
This book makes my top 10 list of all time. I've lent it or given it to several friends and everyone's agreed that this is an extraordinary book. Its age hasn't dated it at all. Great characterizations and an engrossing second half, watching their small Australian town develop into something worthwhile through one woman's efforts. Since it is the story of a woman for the most part (although the narrator is a man), I tend to suspect more women than men will put the book on their "rave about" list, but I think anyone will find this well worthwhile.Book Review: Not worth the postage
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a so-so novel on which paying postage about equal to the cost of the book isn't worth while.Book Review: Oh my word, this is a wonderful book!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a beautifully written story, cleverly and very poignantly told from the point of view of a 70-something man - a careful, considerate London solicitor who is the trustee (with broad discretionary powers) of a will that leaves a considerable sum of money (but not a lump sum, due to the conditions of the will) to a young woman. Jean Paget is that young woman, and she is an extraordinary person, making her story very compelling reading.
The weaving of the threads of her life - her WWII experiences as a prisoner of the Japanese in Malaya; her fateful encounter with Australian Joe Harmon; the inheritance that allows her to leave the mundane working world; her interaction with solicitor Noel Strachan; and her search for her true destiny - is done in the most masterful way.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is deeply satisfying reading. It is everything a novel should be.
Book Review: One of my favorite novels
Summary: 5 Stars
ATLA is compelling, powerful, romantic, and vivid. It made me cry, it made me laugh. Few novels have moved me as much.