About this title: This title features an introduction by Eric Lomax. 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 run into some Australian prisoners, one of whom, Joe ...
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Description: Fair. Purchasing this book supports the King County Library System Foundation. Thriftbooks and KCLSF have partnered to help raise additional funds for the library system. Ex-Library book-will contain library markings. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date Published: 1987
ISBN-13:9780345353740ISBN:0345353749
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Softcover book in good condition, cover wear, pages yellow. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 279 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date Published: 1987
ISBN-13:9780345353740ISBN:0345353749
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. As good a read paperback can be spine creasing not very noticable. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 279 p. Audience: General/trade. A Town Like Alice (U.S. title: The Legacy) is a novel by the Australian author Nevil Shute. It tells the story of Jean Paget; as a prisoner of war in Malaya during World War II and then her return to Malaya after the war where she discovers something that leads her on the search for romance and to a small outback ... read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Pan Books
Date Published: 1961
ISBN-13:9780330020701ISBN:0330020706
Description: Acceptable. EXCELLENT value for money and ready for dispatch. Delivery usually within 3/5 days. Our reputation is built on our Speedy Delivery Service and our Customer Service Team. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Pan Books
Date Published: 1961
ISBN-13:9780330020701ISBN:0330020706
Description: Good. Page colour-Slightly discoloured in accordance with book age. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Pan Books
Date Published: 1961
ISBN-13:9780330020701ISBN:0330020706
Description: Good. * BOOKS DISPATCHED WITHIN 24 HOURS * SATISFACTION GUARANTEED * ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED PROMPTLY * SHIPPED FROM UK * USA DELIVERY IN 3-5 DAYS * SHIPPED FROM UK: USA & EUROPE SPECIALISTS DELIVERY IN 3-5 DAYS. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: House of Stratus
Date Published: 2000
ISBN-13:9781842323007ISBN:1842323008
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
"I am so pleased I've read this. After 'On the Beach' I had not really wanted to read another by Shute but 'A Town Like Alice' is as uplifting as 'On the Beach' is depressing. Set in Malaya during the Japanese occupation we follow the forced itinerant wanderings of the female prisoners of war as each commanding officers tries to avoid the drain on his resources feeding these people requires. The women wander with a dwindling handful of guards from village to village. With the death of their final guard they offer the village headman to work for their upkeep if they can remain together and settle. The village helps them deal with the Japanese and the women become a part of the village life until the end of the occupation. In post war Britain we hear Jean Paget's story of this time and how she survived as she relates it to her friend and her estate trustee Mr. Stachen. Jean has inherited from her Uncle an estate that is held in trust until she reaches 35. Her first desire is to return to Malaya to visit the village who sheltered her for so many years. While there she learns what became of the Australian Joe Harman who had been tortured for helping the women. Jean had thought him dead but finds he survived. Now she wishes to go to Australia to find Joe Harmon and see the Australia he so dearly loved and described to her when they were both prisoners of the Japanese."
"This is one of my all time favorite books. I saw the BBC movie when I was a teenager and just loved the story. I had to read the book. It is the story of Jean Paget and is told through the eyes of her London solicitor.
The first part of the book takes place when Jean is remembering her time as a POW in WWII and her time spent with several English women who were put on a death march across the Island. Although it isn't a true story it is based on factual events during WWII.
The second half of the book takes place in Australia and has a great romance.
This book is what I would call a "50 pages book" meaning that you have to give it at least 50 pages before it really gets going. If you read it, don't give up on it."
"This book is a bit difficult to read due to the language of the era, but the story is very interesting. It demonstrates what determination and common sense can accomplish."
"An old-fashioned (in a very good way) saga about Jean Paget's struggle for survival in WWII Malaya and her struggle of a different nature in post-war outback Australia. Jean is one of literature's greatest entrepreneurs. While the Malaya section was more of a page-turner for me, I applauded Jean's business smarts in Australia. She reminded me of Nancy Drew a bit in her ability to accomplish just about anything with aplomb. Shute's writing, though, ensured that she remained human and real. The book's romance is also quite real and my tattered copy still sent out plenty of sparks during key moments.
Laurie used the apt phrase "casually racist comments" to describe what I consider to be the one mar on the novel. They didn't surprise me, but that didn't make them any easier to read.
I'm very glad that Laurie recommended this and am delighted that it caught my eye at Shakespeare & Co in Paris."
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