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A Town Like Alice
- Narrated by: Robin Bailey
- Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Annoying music at random intervals - beware
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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...
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What listeners say about A Town Like Alice
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Seonaid
- 11-07-15
A long time favourite story brilliantly told
What made the experience of listening to A Town Like Alice the most enjoyable?
Like many reviewers here I first read A Town Like Alice as a teenager and have loved it, and reread it many times since (I am now retired). It is a wonderful story of overcoming adversity, love, adventure and entrepreneurialism. Here it is quite superbly performed by Robin Bailey who manages all the varied accents quite brilliantly and totally draws you into the story. Of all my 200+ Audible titles, many of which are very well performed, this is one of my highest rated for performance - I have listened to it several times and love it every times.
What did you like best about this story?
Everything really but I think Jean's descriptions of her war experiences are done incredibly well and are very moving, especially knowing that these are based on real life events.
Which character – as performed by Robin Bailey – was your favourite?
Couldn't name a favourite - he seems to do everyone brilliantly from Scots to Australians, male and female. His upper class English drawls are especially convincing and he manages to make every one sound slightly different. He is utterly convincing as the narrator Noel Strachan (pronounced Strawn), an elderly London solicitor.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
War is hell - but sometimes miracles happen! (If you loved this book do NOT watch the film of the same name starring Virginia McKenna and Peter Finch and which bears little relation to the actual story written by Nevil Shute)
Any additional comments?
As many other reviewers have commented it is very dated in many of its attitudes but these reflect the time in which it was written and should not detract from the enjoyment of the book. Had we lived through those times we would almost certainly have held the same views.
32 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 31-03-09
A Great Book Well Read
Despite this audiobook being produced decades ago Robin Bailey reads it so well that it is timeless. I can't wait to hear more of Nevil Shute titles.
18 people found this helpful
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- Musical Original
- 22-05-19
Just perfect
I first read this book almost 50 years ago and it has stayed with me ever since. I was reluctant to buy an audio version as I preferred my memories but this reading is sheer perfection and renewed my love of this wonderful book.
14 people found this helpful
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- tru.gough
- 23-12-12
amazing
My mother informed me this was a must read and I could not find it in any book shop i could not find it in the library and was thrilled and amazed that it was here. The story is brilliant the narrator does huge justice to the story, i agree a must listen to.
6 people found this helpful
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- R. Ellis
- 15-05-19
A delightful story very well read
It was 50 years ago that I last read A Town Like Alice as part of my GCE curriculum. It was wonderful to revisit the tale and discover its simple beauty in a totally different way, without the analytical pressure of school. This audiobook kept me company for many running miles and lunchtimes at work and was simply wonderful. In fact if anything the story was improved as it was brought to light by the Robin Bailey’s superb and faultless narration. After time I will listen to this lovely story once again. Now what book next??
5 people found this helpful
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- David
- 04-04-16
Thoroughly recommend
Would you listen to A Town Like Alice again? Why?
A sensitively written book of courage longing romance and the human spirit. Very fine narration. One of the best audio books I have bought
5 people found this helpful
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- Eggy
- 15-03-21
Of it’s time but worth a listen
Almost 2 books in 1 - the war time section & then the new Australian town section. Had me interested all the way through. I guess I found it a bit hard listening to the anti Japanese’s section as it reminded me of the post war prejudices, just as there was still anti German feelings when I was young. Also found myself uncomfortable Re the way the “ natives” in Malaya. & Australia were portrayed - definitely of its time but in a way interesting to hear for that & to realise how things have changed since.
4 people found this helpful
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- Richard
- 23-04-12
Fabulous
I've never read any Nevil Shute before and I thoroughly enjoyed this. A terrifically engaging story superbly brought to life by the narrator. The only slight niggle is that you do need to be prepared to accept the borderline racism as being 'of its time'.
4 people found this helpful
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- Jockette61
- 30-06-13
One of my favourite books - wonderful story
A favourite for years, lovely to see this one in the Audible library - an instant addition to the Wish List. Yes its very 'old fashioned', and 'terribly British' - emotions held in check. The story stands the test of time, and I hope it gets many new listeners.
6 people found this helpful
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- MW2
- 10-07-09
Revisiting my past
Great. I am listening to books that I read years ago and which left an impression on me. The story is one of great hardship and positivity. It is a well read story. I was hoping to find "On the Beach" by the same author (Nevil Shute), but alas. Cheers
6 people found this helpful
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- Mary
- 27-03-11
Wonderful story, beautifully told
The story was amazing and engrossing from start to finish (well, not quite from the start; the very beginning sounded boring, with what seemed at the time to be an unneccessarily detailed narrative about an old man hiring a solicitor to write his will, and I almost switched to another book on my iPod. But I stuck it out and was quickly pulled into the story). The characters are wonderful and the plot is fascinating. It never gets slow; I found myself sitting in my car to continue listening when I'd get to work, reluctant to leave the story. I love the narration. The reader was perfect for this book. This is one of the most memorable stories I've listened to in my many years as an Audible subscriber.
52 people found this helpful
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- Nita L.
- 20-07-09
Could not quit listening
This was my first audiobook (book-on-tape in those days); I asked Audible to provide it and was pleased to see it recently appear. Thanks, Audible!
On re-listening, it was even better than the first time. It is TERRIFIC. The story is spell-binding, somewhat historical and absolutely riveting. The narrator is simply superb. I can't imagine anyone from pre-teen age onward who would not be spellbound by the combination of narration plus superb writing plus story.
MOST highly recommended.
64 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 30-03-11
A Town Like Alice
By Michael, Santa Barbara, CA
Excellent book. Tends to slow down a bit in the 2nd half, but overall a compelling story about interesting people and times. The descriptions about life in the UK and Australia were fascinating. The narration was quite good, with the narrator going back and forth from the London accent of the UK to the Australia accent.
28 people found this helpful
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- Wild Wise Woman
- 26-03-11
Better still in Audio form
This is a gentle and genteel adventure story, beautifully told, and even more wonderfully read. Robin Bailey hits the exact right note for every one of the many voices in this tale, and where I might have grown tired of reading this excellent book in print form (I love literature but have been spoiled by good audiobooks), it rolls along at a perfect pace for listening.
The book itself is somewhat dated, and the casual racism of 1950s Australia is acknowledged and dismissed without further comment, but read in the context of its times it is a spirited pioneer story, a love story and tempered venture into feminism. One of the few audiobooks I will save for another listen in the future.
57 people found this helpful
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- g
- 21-04-13
Continental adventure worth the ride
This is the second book that I have listened to by Nevil Shute, and it inspired me, once again to follow his work. Shute’s stories are both entertaining and informative; simple and grand at the same time. It is so easy to picture the narrative and dialogue, excellently narrated by Robin Bailey. This story, written in the 1950’s, would have been the “Indiana Jones and How the West Was Won” type of story for the time. It is about personal struggle, character, adventure, and romance across continents and countries that included, England, Malaya and Australia during WWII. Great storytelling!
16 people found this helpful
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- Susan
- 07-01-14
Two Husbands, One Book, Two Stories
Way back in the mid seventies my first husband and I divorced. We argued over the custody of three things - our son, the dog and a book, The Legacy. I won 2 of the 3 items (he got the dog). Through the years I delighted in both my son and rereading Nevil Shute's wonderful book. The Legacy was renamed A Town Like Alice. (Personally I feel the original title fits the story better)
I enjoyed A Town Like Alice so much that when my second husband and I traveled to Australia in 1999 I insisted we visit the outback, Alice Springs in particular. We spent 2 nights and 3 days on a working station just outside Alice. I kept looking for Joe or Jean to come greet us.
What makes A Town Like Alice such a great book to read is the completion of an interesting and complex storyline. A Town Like Alice takes place in England, Malaysia and Australia. The first part of the story occurs during World War II. That part of Nevil Shute's story is somewhat historically correct. It's interesting to read about the women taken prisoner by the Japanese in Malaysia, and the strength if the human spirit. This novel has everything - war, survival, a legacy, romance, business savvy, friendship,humanity and more.
I highly recommend A Town Like Alice. It is a great book to read and an equally fine audible book. Robin Bailey, the narrator, is easy to listen to. He does well portraying all the various characters throughout the story. A Town Like Alice will not disappoint you.
32 people found this helpful
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- Peyton
- 16-03-10
An all time favorite I have read many times...
If you have never read Nevil Shute, you are missing an opportunity to revitialize your personal outlook on life. This is a extraordinary story of a women who has the mental capacity and spiritual drive to do something special with her life. Become immersed in the spectacular images and prose of an English born aeronautical engineer who served during both world wars, eventually becoming an author and settling with his family in Australia. As one of his seven books, you will experience a simple story that serves as an introduction to his later, more powerful, works. Free from political commentary or nuance, you will find this a story that impels us to look beyond the mundane, and perhaps prompt us to visualize our own lives as an opportunity to better the world as our abilities and situations permit. In Mr. Shute's other six books you will discover his uncommon world view which is sure to enrich your own.
68 people found this helpful
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- Laurie
- 02-06-09
great story!
I discovered Nevil Shute in my late teens and was thrilled to see this old favorite finally available with Audible. As with many Nevil Shute books, it starts off slowly but then becomes completely engrossing. Fascinating picture of life in Malaya and Australia in the '40s and early '50s, engaging characters. Excellent narration, perfect for the story. Am hoping that other Shute favorites will be added soon - Pied Piper, No Highway, Trustee from the Toolroom, Pastoral, In the Wet.
52 people found this helpful
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- Margaret H
- 15-12-09
An All Time Favorite Novel
This is one of the best novels I've ever read and Robin Bailey's audio narration is perfect. The quiet tone of the book's narrator, both as written by Shute and underplayed by Bailey, makes the Malaysian WWII horrors described listenable without stopping, except to rewind and relisten occasionally. The un-ending British/Australian stiff-upper-lip recollection of what happened is typical of another time and place. The characterizations, as in all Nevil Shute novels, makes the story riveting. The ultimate happy resolution, while completely foreseeable, is nuanced in unexpected ways and keeps the listener involved to the end.
I wish there were more Nevil Shute books available on audio. I rented one about the Australian flying doctor service some 20 years ago from Books on Tape that was excellent. That one isn't even available in used print (Amazon). Surely there are more novels on audio from Australia or England that Audible/Amazon could obtain rights to and bring to their readers.
33 people found this helpful
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- C
- 27-12-11
Great first half. Second--so so
The first half (the POW story) is gripping and well told. The Australia part kind of drags, Also I have 2 criticisms; 1) the heroine is perfect. She has absolutely no faults. This is very unrealistic. 2) The attitude towards female sexuality is very primitive--all the desire comes from the man and the woman has no desires of her own. As for the criticism about the racism--that is how it really was. Would you want him to re-write history in order to be politically correct?
12 people found this helpful