A Town Like Alice

Name: A Town Like Alice
Brand: Vintage Publishing
SKU: 9780099530268
Price: 24.0 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

(Vintage Classics Shute Series)

By Nevil Shute

4.15

( 59,367 ratings, 4,583 reviews)

Summary

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute follows the journey of Jean Paget, a young Englishwoman who survives a harrowing experience in Malaya during World War II. Years later, she embarks on a mission to repay a debt of gratitude and rebuild her life, which leads her to the rugged Australian outback. It's a tale of resilience, love, and the transformative power of hope.
Read More

Format: Paperback / softback

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of A Town Like Alice. Please add this book to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy sweeping narratives that intertwine love, survival, and resilience against the backdrop of World War II. You'll find yourself captivated by a young woman's journey in the harsh Malayan jungle and her efforts to transform a small, Outback town in Australia. If you appreciate richly drawn characters and stories of determination and hope, this novel is a compelling read.

A Town Like Alice

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 - an experience that leads to the deaths of many.

'Probably more people have shed tears over the last page of A Town Like Alice than about any other novel in the English language... remarkable' John Ezard, Guardian

Description

Probably more people have shed tears over the last page of A Town Like Alice than about any other novel in the English language... remarkable - John Ezard, Guardian

Probably more people have shed tears over the last page of A Town Like Alice than about any other novel in the English language... remarkable - Guardian

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 - an experience that leads to the deaths of many.

Due to her courageous spirit and ability to speak Malay, Jean takes on the role of leader of the sorry gaggle of prisoners, and many end up owing their lives to her indomitable spirit. While on the march, the group runs 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. Together, they begin to dream of surmounting the past and transforming his one-horse outback town into a thriving community like Alice Springs...

With an introduction by Eric Lomax, author of The Railway Man

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute is praised for its direct and simply told narrative that reflects the honest virtues of its era. The story is described as romantic and inspirational, highlighting the protagonist Jean's determination and the beautiful love she eventually discovers. It's regarded as a compelling tale of romance and resilience under pressure, with elements of torture and human fortitude that render it both heart-rending and gripping.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099530268

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 September 2009

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Contributors:

Introduction by Eric Lomax

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 261g

Pages: 368

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Nevil Shute Romance

About the Author

Nevil Shute was born on 17 January 1899 in Ealing, London. After attending the Dragon School and Shrewsbury School, he studied Engineering Science at Balliol College, Oxford. He worked as an aeronautical engineer and published his first novel, Marazan, in 1926. In 1931 he married Frances Mary Heaton and they went on to have two daughters. During the Second World War he joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve where he worked on developing secret weapons. After the war he continued to write and settled in Australia where he lived until his death on 12 January 1960. His most celebrated novels include Pied Piper (1942), No Highway (1948), A Town Like Alice (1950) and On the Beach (1957).