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Book Review of A Town Like Alice

A Town Like Alice
A Town Like Alice
Author: Nevil Shute
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
reviewed on + 1452 more book reviews


When I find myself reading without documenting progress, I'm either traveling without a computer or so involved in the read that it doesn't matter. For this one it's both.
Jean Paget is caught up in a war, learns how strong she is and finds a most interesting man. Marching around Malaya. (This part of the novel was based in part on an actual event that occurred in Sumatra in WWII, where Dutch female prisoners were marched all around the island for 2-1/2 years.) Finally, she and other women find a village where they survive war by caring for rice paddies. I so enjoyed this part of the novel.

She returns home to take up a rather mundane existence in a factory. When an attorney calls her she discovers an inheritance that makes her wealthy and her life changes dramatically. The attorney tells the story and becomes fascinated with this young woman, her story and her experiences. If he had been younger he would, he admits, have fallen in love with her. As it is, he is totally dedicated to helping her use her inheritance as she plans. Her uncle had said that if she inherited his money she would need approval for spending until she reached the age of 35. It's a wonderful novel based on the author's own experiences in Australia. Great read!