A Town Like Alice

By: Nevil Shute

Narrated by: Robin Bailey

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Jean Paget is just twenty years old and working in Malaya when the Japanese invasion begins. When she is captured she joins a group of other European women and children whom the Japanese force to march for miles through the jungle. While on the march, the group run into some Australian prisoners, one of whom, Joe Harman, helps them steal some food, and is horrifically punished by the Japanese as a result. After the war, Jean tracks Joe down in Australia and together they begin to dream of surmounting the past and transforming his one-horse outback town into a thriving community like Alice Springs...

©1989 The Trustees of the Estate of the Late Nevil Shute Norway (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Great characters

I hadn't read Nevil Shute since high school , and cannot believe what I've been missing. "On The Beach"was required reading in my Catholic School. Perhaps if it had been this novel, I would have continued on to read the rest of Nevil Shute's novels. This was an excellent novel that illustrates the life & times of an extraordinary woman & her life experiences. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Absolutely Enjoyable

I just did not want this book to end. It was such a joy to listen to. The reader, the story line, just everything. Give me more like this!

Another great Shute story

I kept wanting it not to end! But there are several Shute books, I'm on my 5th one now, all are great stories

Loved it!

I remember watching the Masterpiece Theater version of this book over 35 years ago and loving it then. I just finished the audible recording of the book and loved it, too.

a wonderful story

Would you listen to A Town Like Alice again? Why?

This was my first Nevil Shute but will definately not be my last

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jean

Which character – as performed by Robin Bailey – was your favorite?

Jean

If you could rename A Town Like Alice, what would you call it?

I can't imagine

For those who just like a good story!

I don't feel competent enough to dissect a novel. My attention during school was usually focused on girls, sports and trying to figure out my place in my world and paying attention in class wasn't on that list. But I do know a pleasant story when I hear one. A story that keeps me interested enough to remember to put it back on when my busy schedule allows. This story was just the right amount of life for me. I think most of us good use just a simple good story and I highly recommend it. Cheers!

Is it dated? (yes). Is it good? (yes)

I read a lot of Nevil Shute years ago, so I bought this one, which I hadn't read, when it became available. It's well written and snares you early on in the narrative. I like that since I don't have a lot of tenacity when it comes to reading a lot of background information.. Just from the title, it was hard to figure out how this was going to play out since it starts in England (as did the author) and is obviously (somewhat) about Alice Springs in Australia. It's just a well written and enjoyable story with enough plot turns to make it interesting.

A romance, also delightful history of the Outback

I read this years ago and also saw the miniseries from 1981 with Rachel Ward and Bryon Brown. Hearing both the story and romance once again was rewarding. I can see why this was so popular in the 1950s. The portrayal of the hardy folks living in the Outback stays with one and explains the famous hardiness of the men from Australia who fought in World War II. There is a strong feminist theme her with the heroine. Folks wanting a strong female protagonist will enjoy the story since the role of women was still quite restricted. While equal rights had yet to be established by the aboriginal population, there is a sympathetic treatment in line with the times. Though some themes are dated
As with other Neville Shute books the role of class is major factor. I do not want to include a spoiler, so all I can say is look at how class plays out in the book. Ww have numerous narrative about the point of view of female POWs. Here is a narrative about a strong brave young woman that has a timelessness that is refreshing on rereading. The point of view is similar to other Nevil Schute novels of being an elder man in his 70s looking at the lives of these young survivors from World War II.

A Town like Alice

one of my all time favourite books. this is my 4th time reading it and I will read it again..

Fascinating window into another world

Completely engaging story of a young woman’s courage, imagination, and perseverance. The book draws you into the world of Jean Padgett, and her experiences as a prisoner of the Japanese in WWII Malaysia, which led, in turn, to her life in postwar Australia where she was largely responsible for turning a lonely outpost into a thriving town much like Alice Springs.
The attitudes of society in the 1940s and 50s, whether in Malaysia, London, or the Australian Outback, regarding, race, gender, and class, are always clearly portrayed by the author, but never condemned. I was sorry to see the story end. Highly recommended for teen and adult readers.