A Town Like Alice
by Nevil Shute
Jean Page is only twenty years old and works in Malaya when the Japanese occupation begins. When caught, he joins a group of European women and children who are forced by the Japanese to walk for miles through the jungle - an experience that leads to the death of many. Thanks to his brave spirit and ability to speak Malay, Jean takes on the role of the leader of a miserable horde of prisoners, and many end up with the life of his indomitable spirit. During the march, the group encounters some Australian prisoners, whom Joe Harman helps them steal food and is terribly punished by the Japanese as a result. After the war, Jean hunts Joe down in Australia, and together they begin to dream of overcoming the past and transforming their one-horse city into a thriving community like Alice Springs.
