For Australians or visitors to the land of Aus.
By katerina
@thea09 (18305)
Greece
July 13, 2009 4:15am CST
I have never had the pleasure of visiting Australia but one of my all time favourite books is set there, 'A Town Like Alice' by Nevil Shute. The Australian part of this book was set in the 1950's, are parts of Australia still like the land portrayed then or has change completely taken over?
1 person likes this
1 response
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
13 Jul 09
Nevil Shute is a wonderful author! 
Yes, there are still parts of Australia that would fit the setting he described in "A Town like Alice", but it's not an entire representation anymore. Modern progress! Australia is a huge country with a population of less than 25 million people, so there are wide open spaces and many different landscapes, animals and climates throughout.
The Northern Territory where Alice Springs is located is arguably one of the most diverse areas of all! Tropical to the North, desert to the South, a rainy season..... Magnificent scenery and wildlife that changes considerably in wet and dry seasons..... ABout 400 kilometres from Alice Springs is "Uluru" which is a massive orange/red rock formation revered by the Aboriginies. I've never seen it for real myself, but I sure want too! The latest movie "Australia" with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman was centred around Darwin and the Northern Territory. Darwin is also the only Australia city to ever be bombed during a war and the Japanese nailed it in World War 2. This bombing is also shown in the movie as well. I hope you get to travel to Australia one day. 
Yes, there are still parts of Australia that would fit the setting he described in "A Town like Alice", but it's not an entire representation anymore. Modern progress! Australia is a huge country with a population of less than 25 million people, so there are wide open spaces and many different landscapes, animals and climates throughout.
The Northern Territory where Alice Springs is located is arguably one of the most diverse areas of all! Tropical to the North, desert to the South, a rainy season..... Magnificent scenery and wildlife that changes considerably in wet and dry seasons..... ABout 400 kilometres from Alice Springs is "Uluru" which is a massive orange/red rock formation revered by the Aboriginies. I've never seen it for real myself, but I sure want too! The latest movie "Australia" with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman was centred around Darwin and the Northern Territory. Darwin is also the only Australia city to ever be bombed during a war and the Japanese nailed it in World War 2. This bombing is also shown in the movie as well. I hope you get to travel to Australia one day. 2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
13 Jul 09
I'm yet to read Douglas Kennedy's book, but I'll look it up! 
The flies, isolation, big meat feasts and hard working, hard playing larrikin attitudes are most definitely alive and well in many places of Australia still, so keep that imagination flowing! I'm not so sure about the radio dependency anymore, but the "School of the Air" was very famous. The Flying Doctor service too.
The flies, isolation, big meat feasts and hard working, hard playing larrikin attitudes are most definitely alive and well in many places of Australia still, so keep that imagination flowing! I'm not so sure about the radio dependency anymore, but the "School of the Air" was very famous. The Flying Doctor service too. @James72 (26790)
• Australia
13 Jul 09
Sure sounds like a twisted storyline there! 
lol. A "larrikin" is someone who mucks around a bit, so larking about is close! Mischievious or rowdy would be an appropriate description too I guess. It's in most dictionaries and described as being a hoodlum among other things, but I reckon that's a bit harsh!
lol. A "larrikin" is someone who mucks around a bit, so larking about is close! Mischievious or rowdy would be an appropriate description too I guess. It's in most dictionaries and described as being a hoodlum among other things, but I reckon that's a bit harsh!