Comments (18)

What did you think about this title?
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Feb 03, 2024jimg2000 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I read the book after watched the DVD: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S118C396726 The film left off vast majority of the book, chopping off the times before and after the war.
Aug 06, 2023thomascy rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A favorite for many years, this book exudes good character, love, and the community building that is possible as a result
Apr 24, 2022Aradne rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Slow moving, but absolutely worth the read.
Oct 12, 2021StoriedLife rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
This is a peculiar work — a fascinating tale that hasn’t aged well, with its outdated attitudes toward race and gender — with heavy doses of adventure and romance but also an unusual blending of rugged individualism and social…
May 07, 2021harrybosch rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A little dated now, but a good read, and fine insight into the development history of Australia, and the opening up and settlement of "the Outback" region of central and northern parts of Australia. Much better than the 1956 Movie of…
Apr 24, 2021ba_library rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
There was a great mini-series based on this book in the early 1980s with Bryan Brown and Helen Morse (I’ll have to look to see if it is available on DVD). It tells the story of two individuals who met while struggling with the Japanese in…
Oct 05, 2018JonMoss rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
LCL Adult Book Group discussing this on Thur 10/11/2018
Mar 04, 2018ArapahoeChristineS rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
An engrossing classic fiction with historical roots. With a somewhat slow but steady pace this is a story of a resourceful and compassionate heroine named Jean. It delves deep into her character and her resolve. Fast forward from the…
Aug 08, 2016MamaLovesBooks rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book came highly recommended to me, and while it was an interesting piece of historical fiction (favorite genre), it wasn't one of the best. I struggled through uneventful parts, put it down frequently, and was hoping for some…
Oct 17, 2015DorisWaggoner rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I've read this novel probably three times. Shute's an excellent teller of stories about WW II, and of Australia. I agree that there's some very offensive language (for today) that wasn't considered offensive in the time it was written…
Aug 28, 2015wyenotgo rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
One of Shute's very best stories, covering a vast time span, beginning in Southeast Asia during WW2 and re-uniting some of the characters many years later in Australia.
Sarah1984
Sep 05, 2014Sarah1984 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
19/7 - This was written in 1950, it uses language common to 1950. These facts have to be remembered when reading A Town like Alice, and reacting to said language. The characters use words like 'Abos', 'Nips', 'Boongs', and other offensive…
Jan 27, 2014JackieFC13 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book was amazing! My grandfather sent it to me as one of his "good friends". He was right, it is now one of mine that I will recommend to friends! It was a wonderful book. A story about courage, survival,adventure, love, and personal…
allisonmaginot
Oct 16, 2013allisonmaginot rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely loved this book. I've never read much about Australia, but through the author's vivid depictions of the outback the country came to life. Great story about a courageous young woman, a thoughtful older man, and a brave…
Dec 29, 2012rgally rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Just finished my 2nd reading of this wonderful story of love and hardship and endurance. Also love the made for TV version of it from the 80s with Bryan Brown and Helen Morse (?). Highly recommended! Shute was a very talented writer…
Oct 02, 2012phoemouse rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is a good book. The BBC made a series out of it that is wonderful.
Jul 10, 2012Oc2seattle rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A beautiful story of love, fortitude and the building up of an outback town.
Jun 21, 2010Bells rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
In his sparse, straightfoward style, Shute tells an unforgettable story of unbelievable hardships and an enduring love. Brilliant.