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.

didn't disappoint upon second reading

I read this yearscago, presumedly when itcwas newly released, although I think I picked it up in a used book store and thought it was much older. admittedly I hate period pieces and historical fiction, but once I got past the tedious first chapter of this book, I was entrance.

We never know our depth until put to test. MC Jean, put into the most terrible imaginable circumstances because of war, stepped up to lead. it was a grueling 3 years, but she carried what she learned in those three years to make remarkable achievements.

I loved this book 13 years ago, and it didn't disappoint when I heard the story a second time. in fact, now that Ibam a ranch girl on the rural Mexico/ Texas border, it resonates on a deeper level. Tough women.

Great story without the normal helping of murder,

Mayhem, and sex.

I have written my review. Take yer danged automagic error messages away, and I might consider writing more next time Audible.com, shame on ye!!!

Excellent narration of excellent book

Grips the listener for a journey from Asia to England to Australia whilst unraveling a small life with its large impact. Author Nevil Shute’s books do not disappoint.

great story!

I discovered Nevil Shute in my late teens and was thrilled to see this old favorite finally available with Audible. As with many Nevil Shute books, it starts off slowly but then becomes completely engrossing. Fascinating picture of life in Malaya and Australia in the '40s and early '50s, engaging characters. Excellent narration, perfect for the story. Am hoping that other Shute favorites will be added soon - Pied Piper, No Highway, Trustee from the Toolroom, Pastoral, In the Wet.

Powerful & Inspiring!

I had this book in my library for so long, I forgot what it was about. So I looked up some reviews and a lady posted one saying, it was as good as her favorite book, Mrs. Mike. This was a sign for sure! Mrs. Mike changed my life when I was 14 years old...A Town Like Alice changed my life at 25.

This book turned my world upside down, tore my heart apart, made me feel anxious and uncomfortable. Then it turned my eyes to see something so much more beautiful than I could imagine....true love, courage, hope and selflessness. It's a story of a woman that even though she was faced with extreme adversity, or was surrounded by it, she didn't shy away from doing what she could to make a difference in the lives of those around her.

What a powerful book, matched perfectly with talented narrators.

Great find

Being on special, I grabbed it. What a grab it was too. A very engaging story extremely well told that flags slightly though in Part 2, the Australian phase. What is most remarkable though is the telling. Simply superlative with the late Bailey's crisply deliberate and understated rendering of the English narrator and the his astonishing ability to flip back and forth into credible Japanese and Australian accents - leaving one to wonder just how many people were actually in the recording studio!

A "Bonzer" and touching event ll around "if you don't mind"!

Pleasant

This is a pleasant, easy-going book. I liked it but was expecting more. It needed some drama or conflict for the characters. Probably the best word is "genteel" and if that's what you are looking for, this is a good place to find it.

Excellent, you won't be disappointed.

What did you love best about A Town Like Alice?

It was a loving depiction of Australia and it's country towns. I wouldn't say romantic but I certainly felt that the author has a strong affection for the positives of the place. I was very impressed with Shute's female protagonist Jean and the respect the male characters give her. For a novel published in 1950 it might have been a great deal more sexist in its depiction of women but it is not. Jean and Jo are definitely individuals to be admired and neither of them attempt to change the other. Rather, they stand out because of the care and support they have for each other.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Town Like Alice?

There are many memorable moments and I don't want to spoil it for readers so I will just say that I think the depiction of the town and events from then on really kept me glued to my seat listening.

What does Robin Bailey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His characterisation of the different people is superb, and his Aussie accent entirely credible.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes very much so. In the second half I had planned to pause it to watch a program on television but completely forgot it and listened through to the end to a quietly satisfying conclusion.

Any additional comments?

I knew very little of the novel, I had only come across it as a book that I recall being told to read when I was young. I'm glad I didn't read it, I don't think I would have appreciated it then as I can now.

Excellent Read

The beginning is a bit slow, but after it got exciting this was one that I could not wait to get back to, and it stayed very exciting for the rest of the novel. Excellent story, Excellent reader, now I want to read all of Nevil Shute's books, as I already read his On the Beach and that one stayed with me as well.

Great story!

IL truly enjoyed this entire book . The characters are warm and memorable. The narrators voice perfectly reflects the era of story. I knew nothing about this book a bought it because it was on sale. it will go down as one of my best purchases