novels

I have listened to many of Nevil Shute's books, and this is my favourite. The book's starting-point is a real story that happened during World War II: When the Japanese invaded Sumatra, they captured 80 Dutch women and children. The prisoners were forced to walk along the roads for 2 ½ years, and by the end less than 30 were alive.

Shute's novel takes place on Malakka, because he knew this island better than Sumatra. His main character is an English-woman called Jean Paget. In a touching way he describes how the women have to fight for their survival.

When the war ends, Jean is told that she has inherited some money, and decides to go to Australia to meet a man she cannot forget

An unlikely title---until you read on. A wonderful story. The journey of Jean Paget and Joe Harmann through WWII and then to their meeting again six years later. Jean proves to be a character of strength, courage and compassion as she marches through Malaya with other women and children. This story encompasses life at it's worst and people at their best. This is an adventure of the soul and a journey of the heart. A happy and poignant ending to a lovely book.

This book opens in Malaysia during WW2, with descriptions based on Shute's own experiences in Indonesia during the war. In a chance encounter an English Girl and an Australian soldier meet and feel something special exists between them.

After the war, each attempts to contact the other. They travel the world to find out if their memories of that defining moment are real, or were a personal illusion, not held by the other person.

A real heart rending tale of true romance set in a passionate backdrop of war and the aftermath, and the wild spaces of central Australia. This is not just an Australian classic, it is a classic! A relly good memorable read.