Saturday, November 19, 2011
A Town Like Alice has been described by some as a
book in two parts, by others a book in three parts, and again by others as a
string of short stories tied together by the character Jean Paget. Does the novel work as a whole?
Would it work better “in pieces”? Besides Jean, how are the
threads connected?
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I do think that this book works as a whole. A character's story may well span many years and wide distances without harm. The Malaya section would hold up on it's own based on the development of the Paget character and her growth from typist to group leader.
ReplyDeleteThe Australia section fails on it's own as we don't know enough about Paget without the Malaya section to make us interested in the her or why she's in the country at all.
Hmmmm.... I should have renewed the book, I think.
Good point, I agree that the Australia section would need A LOT more character building if it were to be isolated as it's story.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Good point, Dad. Malaya would definitely stand on its own. And it was so good. I was fascinated. But I loved the Australia part too! I think I just love the character of Jean and I'd follow her anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the book overall as well. Having been a year in that part of the world and walked through many small villages and rice paddies, even a week in Sidney the narrative recalls some powerful memories. The fact that you would follow Jean and I found the settings so realistic to my experiences speaks to how well Shute has done....
ReplyDeleteI was late finishing the book but I still wanted to chime in because I did, in fact, finish the book. The two parts (England doesn't really seem like a true part) feel so different – it’s an interesting dichotomy. Malaya was compelling and fascinating. Australia was fun. Ever since Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead I’ve loved a good makeover story, and Jean is a regular Cristina Applegate when it comes to getting things done.
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