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.

LISTEN and fall in love

must read, brilliant narrator, you will be better for it.
a lovely walk about indeed
You travel through a world of love heartbreak and redemption

One of my favorite books. pop

I have the read and listened to this book numerous times beginning in the fifties.

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.

Truly a stunning book for all the right reasons.

I’ve really enjoyed revisiting this book as the story is as fresh today as it was when it was first published in 1950.
Robin Bentley’s narration is masterful with every character comes to life in the listeners imagination.
My only grip is Audible only has 2 titles in there current library but we live in hope for more.
I can highly recommend this book to you👍

delightful

Good story, told well. I appreciate the other reviews, because I might never have bought this without them.
No axes to grind, no hidden agendas, clean and well written. Thanks.

Delightful!

I remembered seeing the mini-series in 1981 and finding the story unforgettable, but I had no idea it was based on a book. My book club read the book and I could hardly put it down. The story is so well told and the horrors of war are touched but not dwelt upon. Jean, the protagonist, is a strong, admirable woman who accomplishes so much during the war and after. Shute has written a sweet love story with so much more involved. The narrator did an excellent job with the British and Australian accents. Loved this book!

A "Norman Rockwell" like book

If Norman Rockwell was an author his books for read like this one. The story and narration of this book gave me the same feeling I have when looking at a Norman Rockwell painting. Full of very pleasant emotion and totally engrossing. My eyes do not want to leave a Norman Rockwell painting and I did not want to stop listening to this book.

The story starts in England in the thirties with an "Esquire" who is requested to meet a reclusive man who is content with his life. The Esquire draws a will and trust for him. When the man dies, many years later, the Esquire must then find the beneficiaries. After doing so, the story takes you to Malaysia during WWII and the Japanese occupation. After the war and in the 50s, it goes to the "Outback Country" of Australia, an the life of "Ringers". I learned about life at that period of history in a different part of the world. All the individuals are interesting and truly pleasant. With one not so pleasant individual. The book was just the right length. I felt very satisfied when it finished. Like eating good meal without over eating.

It is an easy book with excellent narration. The narrations is so good I much rather listen to, than read, this book. It will stay with me a long time, As Rockwell's painting do.

One of my favorite performances

Would you consider the audio edition of A Town Like Alice to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the print version

What about Robin Bailey’s performance did you like?

It was just wonderful. He changes characters and accents flawlessly. Even his breathing seems to be in character. He made this book come alive

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My extreme reaction is how much I loved it. A classic