A Town Like Alice

by Nevil Shute

Book Overview

From the hugely acclaimed author of On the Beach--a tale of love and war that follows its enterprising heroine from the Malayan jungle during World War II to the rugged Australian outback. -... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345305655
• ISBN13: 9780345305657
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 279 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Town Like Alice is a book before its time

Many examples of a woman, in the 1940’s presenting as a feminist. Managing associates she interacts with to permit women to make their choice, be their own self. The story weaves in the challenges to women, there was a passage where a pregnant teen had slept with many men, none would claim their fatherhood. The child asked about abortion of sorts, ultimate resolution was a still birth. Nevill addressed many subjects, but a woman on a mission to change her environment and the attitudes was unique. Well presented and good read.

Oh my word, this is a wonderful book!

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.

One of my favorite stories of all time.

This classic of literature takes place on three continents. It involves history, geography, travel, adventure, misery, joy, evil, and love. He creates marvelous three-dimensional characters. Even the countryside is like another character, because it's so full and important to the story. I first discovered this story on PBS's "Masterpiece Theater" and that production was true to the book. The video (of that production) and the audiotape are also excellent. I had tears in my eyes when it came to an end, wanting it to go on and on. A completely satisfying book.

One of the best books I have ever read!

I am a reader; I devour books. A Town Like Alice is one of my very favorites. I come back to it time and again, whenever I need to lose myself in the heat of Malaysia or the dust of Australia. This book is so well written that I can feel the stones in the road as Jean marches along with the other women in their "Death March". I can feel the despair she feels when she believes Joe to be dead and her intense joy when she discovers that he is still alive. The story is timeless. My mother-in-law,who was a bride during World War II, first introduced me to this book saying that it was her all time favorite, and even though I came of age in the 70's, the book speaks to me as well. Its message of love's survival in the face of desperate odds gives us all a sense of hope.

A timeless classic of love and adventure.

When asked what is my favorite book I always respond that I have two. The first is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, and the second is "A Town Like Alice" by Nevil Shute. I've recommended it to many people over the years and I haven't found one person yet that could put it down. It's a true classic, one that I've enjoyed over and over. Shute's better known "On The Beach" is as good as "A Town Like Alice" but it is much darker in content. "Alice" is a sweet love story that spans time and distance. If you haven't read it yet do yourself a favor, pick it up, sit down in a comfy chair and enjoy.

Australia's Finest

Having spent time in the Australian outback in the 1960's, I found this book (read several years later) to be the ONLY story I've EVER read that captures the true character, lifestyle, and sense of the Australian people. The story woven around World War II and and the subsequent re-uniting of the main characters years later, makes this novel compelling and impossible to put down. The PBS series Masterpiece Theatre aired this story in the late 1970's and was an excellent portrayal of Shute's work. The two-volume video, while shortening the PBS work considerably, is still an enjoyable viewing experience.