Some books make you wonder what made you pick them, while others make you kick yourself for not having read them before. A Town like Alice falls in second category. I got to know of this book from Manju of ‘Of Cabbages and Kings’ on twitter, and it immediately caught my interest.
Jean Paget, a young English woman,in post-war England, comes into an unexpected inheritance. All she wants to do with it, is go to Malaya and build a well. Rather unusual, isn’t it? That’s what the lawyer, Noel Strachan, who was executing the inheritance for her thought as well, until she tells him her story.
She had been twenty years old, working in Malaya when the Japanese invasion began. She is captured along with the other English men and women. The men are sent to prisoner camps, but the Japanese had no prisoner camps for the women, so they were made to March across Malaya, through ill health and deaths. Jean’s courage and ingenuity managed to save some of the group. While on the march, they ran into Australian prisoner, Joe Harman, who paid a rather high price for doing his bit for the women.
A few years later, Jean had been living an ordinary existence in London, working as a typist at a company that made shoes and bags, when the news of the unexpected inheritance reaches her. What she really wants to do is go back to Malaya and do something for the kind villagers whose help kept her and some of her companions alive. She knows how much a well would help them. She knows how diffcult their lives were, having lived their life with them. With the money from the inheritance, she could now, make a difference.
She sets off on her mission, and goes far beyond Malaya. She ends up in Australia, and there again, her ingenuity, determination and courage takes her through a challenge that would have daunted most people. To create a town just like Alice(Alice Springs).
A wonderful story of love, courage and determination. The characters are ones that you connect with. A nice, warm book, where despite the hardships that the characters face, the overwhelming feeling is that of hope. A book that stays with you. A highly recommended read.
I liked the review….and the boo too 🙂
err I am not booing you…I meant book!! 🙄
🙂 here I was heart broken after reading that:)
Sounds like a real nice book!! Bookmarking it 🙂
Its a lovely book, Smita. Totally lovely.
Great review, Smitha!
“The overwhelming feeling is that of hope”- Yes, this captures the essence of the book exactly!
Thank you, Manju!
I read this book …what….15 years ago..cos my grandfather told me to 🙂 And since then I’ve assiduously collected ever Nevile Shute novel (its difficult, many are out of print now). A town like Alice is the only one I don’t have in my collection :(( Highly recommend u read some others especially Requiem for a Wren, On the beach, Trustee from the toolroom and No Highway.
I have to look out for his other books – it beats me how I never came across his books before!
I have been interested in this book ever since R’s Mom wrote about it on her blog. Your review intrigues me further. Shall have to look this up. 🙂
Did I miss that post of RM’s! do give it a try, TGND, I have a feeling that this book is right up your alley.
Ok now I need to get my hands on this one…..
It’s a great book, Ash! I’m sure you will like it!
Its one of the most wonderful books I have ever read…another one of his you should read is ‘trustee from the toolroom’ I cant thank my appa enough of introducing me to Nevil Shute, I love that guy’s books!
Added it to my wishlist 🙂
One of my all time favorites 🙂 Looking at the comments above, this author has been recommended to many of us by the older generation. This book came to me as a gift from my CA sir with an advice, “don’t stop reading just because you have taken up CA”. One of the best advices I ever got and which I have followed diligently 🙂
That was sound advice indeed:) Makes so much sense, doesnt it?
You bet!
🙂
I have said this before as well….you read a variety of books! Nice review Smitha 🙂
Thanks Rebel:)
Tch.,… I am so J. Where do you find the time to read Smitha??? 😦 I want to get back to reading and blogging too….