Questions About A Town Like Alice

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Answered Questions (7)

Was Nevil Shute, author of 'A Town like Alice' a racist, or was he just recording the attitudes of the time? I did not enjoy reading this book because of the disrespectful attitude towards the aborigines. There was not one positive thing mentioned about them as far as I could see, but so much glorification of the heroine and her man. Not my cup of tea.

Halford As a person who lives in a country where different races live and are learning to combine and see the good in one another, I believe Shute was simply …moreAs a person who lives in a country where different races live and are learning to combine and see the good in one another, I believe Shute was simply "telling it as it was". Many countries have been through stages in their development where one group was many generations behind another in what we know as civilisation. And Shute does show the remarkable loyalty and strength of one of Joe's "Abo" stockriders. But, his tale is about a remarkable young woman, and thus focuses on her. I certainly don't for one moment think he is racist. I think on the contrary he was bold / brave enough to paint the picture so that a reader might have the most accurate sense of life there at that time.(less)

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I see there is a mini-series from 1981 based on this and a movie from 2012 with Peter Finch! Has anyone seen either of these? Tempted to buy the DVD.

Theresa I know it's been a while since this questions was asked, but just in case anyone else is interested in knowing...I agree with all the others. The 1981…moreI know it's been a while since this questions was asked, but just in case anyone else is interested in knowing...I agree with all the others. The 1981 mini series with Bryan Brown is fabulous. Was lucky enough to get a used copy of the video from a close out sale at blockbuster many years ago. Worth so much more than the 99 cents I paid for it!(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Kathy Adams No one would speak like this these days. You have to accept that it was true for its time but times have changed, and not always for the better.
I agr…moreNo one would speak like this these days. You have to accept that it was true for its time but times have changed, and not always for the better.
I agree that the language used to describe the Aboriginal people was atrocious. Also the names they were give, such as Palm Olive, and Bournville (which was a well known brand of cocoa) - dreadful!(less)

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Is this a clean read?