I expected to be bored by this story, especially considering the curling script of the title on the cover and the photos of a thoroughly boring-looking couple. I could not have been more wrong!

This book worked so well and on so many levels - the terrible treatment of the prisoners at the hands of the Japanese during the war; life in the Australian outback; and the twilight years of a lonely solicitor in London. A very moving and thoughtful book. ( )

A really good read, the story and characters keep you interested right up until the end. It is a great portrayal of its time, the war experience of some women and soldiers in Asia, post war life in the UK and the outback. ( )

Up front, I'm reacting to this book as though the story were true, even though I know it's based on bits and pieces of reality and distortion. And I know there are flaws in the way it was written through the eyes of Noel Strachan, because we were privy to thoughts of hers that Jean would not have put in a letter (like some of the scenes on Green Island). But I really did like these characters and was inspired by Jean's ingenuity and strength.

I was fully prepared to be bored and come away thinking it was an old chestnut, but it caught me up and made me care. If you liked [West With the Night] (Beryl Markham's story} or some of the other tales set in 1920s East Africa, you should enjoy this one too.

SPOILER ALERT from here on
The third that's set in Australia was very reminiscent of the 1920s in East Africa, with the challenges of terrain and having to improvise. It was wonderful the way she melded her idea with the need to find a place for herself in Australia if she was going to make a life with Joe, even before they got back together. I know I know it's all a bit too good to be true, but it's kind of the opposite of 'for want of a nail ..." isn't it? One little thing led to another and boom, a Town Like Alice.

I was stunned during the part in Malaya at what happened to Joe--I was really not expecting that nor had I heard of that horror. It was all the more powerful because it was told as a matter of fact, complete, over, he died. So when we found out he had survived, I was equally surprised. I hadn't read the summaries in advance (whew) and I thought her Australia connection was going to be payback for his kindness and sacrifice as had her building of the well in Malaya. It also helped that the Japanese guards weren't merely painted as monsters and that a few of them helped the women and were caught in their own predicament over the prisoners.

The Gift of the Magi twist of Joe going to England as Jean went to Australia was delightful, as was Strachan's affection for Jean. Near the end, I was worried that Joe was going to perish and Jean would have to go it alone, so I was relieved that Shute didn't use that device. All in all, I was very pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to enjoy this book. ( )

When I was young and easy, this book apparenty fell open at a particular page as did Ezekiel. I can't remember the page number - or the chapter and verse in the case of Ezekiel. Nice cover.

This book is one of my favorite books. It was made into a TV Miniseries which was wonderful as well. Everyone needs to read it. It has adventure, romance, and you learn a lot about Australia. You really feel for the narrator when at the end of the book he relates his love for Jean and his regret for meeting her 40 years too late. Wonderful book.