>Just after World War II, Jean Paget is contacted by an attorney and learns she has inherited some money. Her plan to use some of the funds is to go to Malaysia in order to build a well in a village. As she explains to the attorney her reasons for her wish , she tells the story of her forced march across Malaysia as a Japanese prisoner of war. The men are taken to a POW camp, but there are no accommodations for women and children. They are marched through jungles and across the country, their numbers dwindling due to disease and starvation. Eventually their Japanese guard dies, and they are accepted in a village, earning their way by working in the rice paddies. The women are helped by an Australian prisoner, Joe Harmon, who steals food and medicine for them and eventually is brutally punished for his actions. Jean believes Joe died from his brutal treatment and Joe believes Jean, like the rest of the British women, is married . After the war and after learning the truth about each other, they travel to opposite sides of the world to find each other, eventually establishing a new life in Australia.
A Town Like Alice illustrates the best of the human spirit, showing resilience, caring and hope in the face of unbearable suffering and brutality–a compelling story of war, survival and love.