Cook and Read – My review of A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute and Peach Chicken #CookandRead #fiction
Posted: January 8, 2025 Filed under: Books, Read and Cook, Recipes, Review, romance | Tags: A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute, Peach Chicken, Read and Cook, Robbie Cheadle, romance, Writing to be Read 45 Comments
My review of A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
This was my favourite classic book read of 2024. A delightful romance initially set in Malaysia during World War II and then moving between post-war London and Australia, Jean Paget’s story of strength, endurance, and leadership made for an amazingly uplifting read.
The novel commences with the main character, Jean Paget, a secretary in a leather goods factory, receiving notification from a solicitor, Noel Strachan, that she has inherited a large sum of money from an uncle she never knew. Noel is the trustee of the funds until Jean can inherit at the age of 35 years old (this age was set by the uncle who believed that women were incompetent fools who couldn’t be trusted with money until they had a family and life experience). Strachan acts as Jean’s financial advisor and, over time, a good friend. His part of the story is all the more interesting because of the secret love he develops for Jean. Noel is the narrator of the story.
Jean announces to Noel that her first priority is to build a well in a village in Malaysia and this introduces her poignant backstory as a prisoner of war in Malaysia during WW2. This part of the story is based on a real survival story which makes it all the more fascinating. Jean was working in Malaysia when the Japanese invaded and she was taken prisoner along with a large group of other European women and children. The Japanese authorities doesn’t know what to do with the group so they end up walking from one village to another for months. The lack of good food, exposure of the elements and hardship results in the deaths of a large number of the group. Jean meets an Australian soldier, Joe Harman, who is also a prisoner of war and is driving a lorry for the Japanese invaders. He tries to help the women and ultimately steals five chickens from a local Japanese commander. He is eventually caught and beaten, crucified and left to die by the Japanese soldiers. Jean believes that Jo Harman is dead. Soon after, the women’s Japanese guard dies and they take shelter in a Malaysian village for the rest of the war. Jean wishes to build a well in this village as a gesture of gratitude to the villagers who saved the lives of the remaining women and children by taking them in. During the construction of the well, Jean discovers by accident that Joe survived and returned to Australia. She decides to go in search of him in Australia and this sets the stage for the rest of the story and the romance. Joe had mentioned the town of Alice Springs during their short time as friends, and this is where Jean heads.
The writing is completely engaging and the characters of both Jean and Joe are well developed and admirable. As a reader, I become completely involved in both their stories and was rooting for their romance and success as individuals and a couple. Jean is portrayed as a strong willed survivor with a strong sense of compassion and responsibility. She is a remarkable leader and an excellent role model for young women.
Joe is portrayed as being recklessly brave and this results in his undoing. He is a very determined and strong willed person, however, an these characteristics result in his miraculous survival.
I read this book because I am interested in learning more about the war in the Pacific and the Japanese involvement in World War II. I have read several books on this topic and A Town Like Alice is the one that stands out the most in my memory. I highly recommend this book to lovers of romance and war literature.
You can purchase A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1842323008
Recipe for Peach Chicken
This recipe is based on Matt Preston’s recipe for Apricot Chicken in his book, Cook Book. I made some variations. If you are interested in purchasing Matt Preston’s book, you can do so here: https://www.amazon.com/Cook-Book-recipes-incredibly-popular-ebook/dp/B016NIBORU
Ingredients
8 chicken thighs and 8 chicken drumsticks, on the bone with skin
160 ml olive oil
1 Tbspn garlic flakes
1 heaped Tbspn dried oregano
5 ml dried thyme
1 tin peaches and the juice
24 caperberries
24 green olives, pits removed and cut in half
2 bay leaves
1 Tbspn chicken stock (powder)
Ground black pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) white wine
Method
Heat the over to 180 C. Line the bottom and sides of a oven baking dish with silver foil. Lay the chicken skin up on the bottom on the dish. In a separate bowl, mix the oil, wine, herbs and caperberries. Pour the tinned peaches over the chicken. Add the wine mixture. Lastly, place the olives over the chicken. Cover the dish with tin foil.
Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Turn the oven to grill. Remove the tin foil and grill the chicken until nicely browned. Do not let the peaches burn. About 15 – 20 minutes.
Enjoy with rice.
About Robbie Cheadle
South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/
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The My Backyard Friends kid’s book series is inspired by the birds and animals that visit the author Kaye Lynne Booth’s mountain home. Beautiful illustrations by children’s author, poet, and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, bring the unique voices of the animal characters to life.
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I have never read this book.
It sounds good.
The chicken looks amazing.
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Thanks, Maggie. This is a book about civilians in war so not for everyone. The dish is fabulous.
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My pleasure Robbie.
I enjoyed your post.
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A Town Like Alice is an excellent book and the chicken dish looks good.
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It is a very good story, Darlene, but a bit brutal in parts. This dish is very tasty.
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As it happens, I do have peaches on the shelf and capers too. And I admire your promoting Nevil’s new book. 😀
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Thank you, Marian. This is a great recipe
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A review AND a recipe — nice, Robbie! 🙂 “A Town Like Alice” sounds excellent; I just put in on my to-read list. I thought another Nevil Shute book, “On the Beach,” was very compelling.
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Oops — “in” should have been “it” in my comment.
Thank you for hosting Robbie’s review/recipe, Kaye Lynne!
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💓
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Robbie’s blog series are always a pleasure to host, Dave. I thought this new one was a brilliant idea. And “Read and Cook” has proved to be quite popular. 🙂
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Totally agree about Robbie’s blog posts, Kaye Lynne. 🙂
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☺️
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Thanks, Dave. This is a very tasty meal 😋
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Nothing wrong with Nevil Shute’s other books and this one sounds equally amazing. 8400+ reviews! Thanks for the intro.
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My pleasure, I have another waiting for me.
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Thank you so much for introducing this book to me, Robbie. I’d heard of it, but had no idea what it was about. My grandparents and mom were in Indonesia during WWII but because of their Indonesian blood they didn’t have to go to a camp. (My European grandfather was incarcerated). My grandmother told me about throwing chickens over the camp wall. This feels like a book I should read.
And thanks for the recipe. It looks delicious!
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Sounds like a good read, Robbie. Nothing better than a good read than good food! Xo
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You are right, Denis. Tea and biscuits are also delicious.
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This book and author are new to me, but it sounds like a great story. And that peach chicken recipe…Wow! Sounds amazing. Thanks, Robbie!
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Hi Jan, I enjoyed the flavour contrasts in this meal. Nevil Shute is a very good author.
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Shared both posts on Twitter, Robbie. I have read the book, and the film is worth seeing too. Best wishes, Pete.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Town_Like_Alice_(film)
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Hi Pete, my mom enjoyed the film. Thanks for sharing 💓
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I like the idea of peaches with chicken, and I’m always a capers fan. Thanks for the review and recipe, Robbie!
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Hi Teri, this is a delicious dish. Get your son to make it with his own unique twists 😉
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I’ve heard of A Town Called Alice, but I never knew what it was about. Sounds like a good story. The recipe looks good, but I’d skip the peaches.
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Hi Liz, this dish is about contrasts so leaving out the peaches would take that away. I loved this book very much.
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To each her own! 😉
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A fabulous story, topped with a yummy recipe for peace chicken? Winner/winner!
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Thank you, Annette 🍗+📚=😀
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Chicken dinner! :0 Sorry, just something my kids used to say. “Winner/winner! Chicken dinner!” It seemed appropriate here. 🙂
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I read “On the Beach” a long time ago and remember liking it. This book sounds good too. I like peaches and I like chicken, but I think I’ll keep eating them separately! (K)
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Hi Kerfe, I thought this book was excellent and I haven’t seen On the beach coming up on my book list. I understand about your food preferences. I don’t like carbs with fruit.
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A wonderful choice, Robbie – I loved this book, and there was also a great movie many years ago, starring Virginia McKenna, and a fantastic mini-series starring Helen Morse. Your recipe looks delicious.
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Hi Toni, it’s a superb book. I haven’t seen the movie but mom has. She enjoyed it.
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I read that book a very long time ago. My mother introduced me to Neville Shute when I was a teenager, he is a great story teller. I would certainly like to read it again.
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I read it years ago too and enjoyed it very much as an adult. I have On the Beach now on my audio books 😀
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I read On The Beach as light reading when we were about to take final exams at high school. I would emerge from the book to face reality with sinking heart that the world was still fine and I still had to do my exams!
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I read to escape life too, Janet. In fact, I still do. Reading was my covid lifeline.
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I had added this book to my TBR shelf back when you recommended it to me before Christmas. I’m glad to now read your review of it.
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I really enjoyed this book, Carla. It had some war and realism, some romance and some unrequited love 💗
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Lots that I like in my reading, Robbie.
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Thanks, Patty. 🙂
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I read this book and then his others when I was 11 and loved it and went on to see the film which is wonderful too… great recipe as well. thanks Robbie xx
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