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.

a Book to relax with

Nevil writes in style that is not common anymore. Not to much anxiety, stress or danger, just a lovely story

A story I will carry in my heart forever.

"On the Beach" has long been one of my favorite novels. Perhaps because I first read it as a teen, I never thought to look for other novels by Nevil Shute. My loss. The story of Joe and Jean is completely unforgettable - their story is mythic. But it is the character of Noel that brought me to tears. I know I will listen to this book often.

Reader Made the Book

I have at times listened to an excellent story with a less than excellent reader. I loved both the story and the reader. He read flawlessly and seamlessly switched between accents. When he read words spoken by women he did not use an irritating falsetto voice, yet there was a difference in tome.

A book that has such an interesting story and read by such a professional is a real treat.

Engaging

If you could sum up A Town Like Alice in three words, what would they be?

Interesting and engaging.ow

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

How the heroine was able to maintain a positive outlook despite the many difficulties she and the others faced.

Good Story All the Way Through!

I'd forgotten about Nevil Shute and was delighted to be reminded by this book. A story of travail and love that proceeds from Malaysia to England to Australia, spanning the years from World War II to its aftermath, this book is well written, intriguing, and will hold your interest all the way through.

One of my top three all-time favorites!

Incredible story and performance. Very inspiring. I read a lot of WW2 historical fiction, and this story is written in such a unique and moving way that it quickly became one of my all-time favorites. You’ll love it!!

inspiring!

This wasn't my first choice, listening to Shute books. I don't like war stories . . .too horrible, too intense. But, then I got it and was entranced. The war for the women was hard, and they suffered losses. They prevailed. The real story starts with a town in the Outback, in a town called Alice. Adventure, hardship, heat and "the wet"; cattle rustlers, mishaps enough to keep things interesting. I loved it. I could identify with the heroine., though never were my pursuits on such a scale as hers. Time and place. Shute lets the reader identify and feel one with the character.

A Town Like Alice

It has a lovely narrator. The story itself starts slow. If I were not trading it as part of my Book Club, I might have put it down. But, if you hang in there, it gets better. You’re going to enjoy Jean’s story.

Timely story

Where does A Town Like Alice rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Good for young women. Powerful story. I would recommend this book to anybody

What about Robin Bailey’s performance did you like?

brilliant TIFOS narrator Kate Rudd is my favorite female voice and Robin Bailey is now my favorite male narrator. Don't ask me why, I have no idea

LOVED LISTENING TO THIS BOOK!

Loved re-listening to this book...read approx. 10 years ago. your narrator was very good...able to capture each character separately. A great companion to my knitting. However, finished in one sitting. May not be able to afford my passion at this rate. 😬