A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute

Thanks to Goodreads, let's get a quick summary of this novel:

"Nevil Shute’s most beloved novel, a tale of love and war, follows its enterprising heroine from the Malayan jungle during World War II to the rugged Australian outback.

Jean Paget, a young Englishwoman living in Malaya, is captured by the invading Japanese and forced on a brutal seven-month death march with dozens of other women and children. A few years after the war, Jean is back in England, the nightmare behind her. However, an unexpected inheritance inspires her to return to Malaya to give something back to the villagers who saved her life. Jean travels leads her to a desolate Australian outpost called Willstown, where she finds a challenge that will draw on all the resourcefulness and spirit that carried her through her war-time ordeals." 

An Author's Note follows this novel in which Shute suggests that he will come under fire for inventing the march of death for women prisoners in Malaya during the Second World War. History does not tell of this plight in Malaya in 1942. However, Shute explains that the real live experiences of the Dutch Mrs J.G. Geysel-Vonck in Palembang Sumatra was his starting point. Shute understood that Mrs. Geysel walked over 1200 miles carrying her baby  as a homeless prisoner of war. 

It was eventually discovered that Mrs. Geysel didn't actually make the long trek by foot, but was shunted from prisoner camp to prisoner camp by truck. Given Shute's Author's Note, I suspect that he knew that eventually, the historical accuracy of his inspiration would come to light. Even so, this work of fiction is captivating.

Shute also tells the reader that he has never previously used actual historical events in his novels, but has done so in A Town Like Alice because in his words: "...I have been unable to resist the appeal of this true story, and because I want to pay what tribute is within my power to the most gallant lady I have ever met."  in incredible tribute: The fictional story of a woman of strength, endurance, direction and humility. 

Loved this story and I don't fault Shute for his creative liberties. It's fiction and it's enjoyable reading. I highly recommend it.