Reading the 20th Century discussion

Our current buddy read of Pied Piper has attracted some enthusiasm and it seems we have a few admirers of Nevil Shute , so here is a thread to discuss his books.

In our Pied Piper thread, Ian wrote:

Judy, I really enjoyed The Chequer Board by Nevil Shute but also thought that his dystopian novel On The Beach was pretty decent too.
Enjoy.

Greg wrote: I have read seven Shute titles.
Pied Piper,
Trustee from the Toolroom,
On the Beach,
Beyond the Black Stump,
A Town Like Alice,
Round the Bend,
Most Secret.

I have nineteen titles in all.
The other twelve titles that I haven't read are:
Lonely Road,
So Distained,
No Highway,
Ruined City,
An Old Captivity,
Landfall,
What Happened to the Corbetts,
The Far Country,
The Chequer Board,
The Rainbow and the Rose,
Stephen Morris,
In the Wet.

I may have read The Chequer Board long ago, though can't recall the story. I'm enjoying reading Pied Piper again, half way so far.

And I added:

Many thanks for that list, Greg. Which were your favourites out of those you have read so far?

I have just picked up Ruined City at the library (the only Shute book that was on the shelf there today), and realised it is set during the Great Depression ... our next theme!

It's a sign Judy

Great work Judy, setting up a favourite author thread for Shute.
I have liked all of the seven I've read. My favourites are (not in any order of preference) Pied Piper, A Town Like Alice, On the Beach, Trustee from the Toolroom.

I've read Beyond the Black Stump but don't remember the story. I'm listening to a BBC radio drama of Black Stump on YouTube which is bringing the story back. It is a BBC Home Service Saturday Night Theatre radio drama 1965 production. 1:29 minutes.
The story has Australian, American and English characters.

Judy, if you start a buddy read for Ruined City I have a copy ready to go.

Thanks for posting this over here, Greg. I thought it would be useful to have the author thread to continue Shute discussions after the buddy read.

I'm just considering whether to nominate Ruined City for the poll.

I've decided not to nominate Ruined City - while it looks interesting, I suspect from a glance at it that it may not be one of Shute's best, and we already have some other great nominations.

I have taken it out of the library and will be reading it in the next few weeks though, so if you want to discuss it, Greg, I could set up an extra buddy read thread - though we do have a lot of buddy reads on the go already!

My posts keep appearing 2 or 3 times, so I am deleting the duplicates - apologies for any confusion caused.

Judy, yes there are a lot of books on the go. It may be best not to start another buddy read for Ruined City, but when one reads it can post comments on this thread.

My thoughts.
Nevil Shute's novels may seem simple and quaint in 2019. They're consistently good solid human interest stories showing the better side of human nature in difficult situations, and well researched technical details. Shute's novels trademark style has an emphasis on decency. During WWII people needed hope and a feel good story. The post war years were of prosperity and happy times ahead.
Shute knew the mood. He wasn't likely to win the Nobel Prize in Literature but he sure was popular.

Yes, I think that's probably best, Greg. Thanks for your thoughts on Shute - hope and a feelgood story are certainly the feelings I get from Pied Piper.

I really enjoyed Pied Piper, and was wondering which Shute to read next. Think I will make it Ruined City to capture the "feel-good" after I have read a book I have struggled with. Pleased this thread is here.

I have read On the Beach, Pied Piper and A Town Like Alice, and I agree with Greg's thoughts on his style above. 'They're consistently good solid human interest stories showing the better side of human nature in difficult situations, and well researched technical details' sums it up very well.

I do remember loving A Town Like Alice when I was a teenager, so maybe I will read that one soon.

i used to tead Shute as a teenager but have not reread him for years. On The Beach is amazing. I found A Town Like Alice a really curious mix of war story and entrepreneur start-up tale. I also lijed The Chequer Board although I suspect this one has not aged too well in its debates on race. My favourite is The Far Country which I found really satisfying mix of adventure, travelogue and romance when I read it as a teenager. Might be due for a reread.

The only Shute book I know I have read, rather than seen as a film or on TV, is In the Wet, although for decades I thought it was called The Seventh Vote. I clearly didn't enjoy it that much, or I would have read more.

Annabel wrote: "i used to tead Shute as a teenager but have not reread him for years. On The Beach is amazing. I found A Town Like Alice a really curious mix of war story and entrepreneur start-up tale. I also lij..."

Annabelle - The Far Country is definitely my next Shute read. - not sure when though as my tbr list is rising fast. Surprise, surprise.

Has anybody read The Rainbow and the Rose by Shute, and if you have how many stars have you given it? Please link your review if you have written one. Thanks.

The Far Country is one of his I liked a lot.

Gosh the guy was prolific!

My favorite is Trustee from the Toolroom. The hero lives a small life, in fact his job is building miniature models and writing about them. But circumstances compel him to travel literally around the world and he finds that the world is smaller and he is bigger than anyone would think. He is able to connect with people in the most unexpected places. It doesn't have the built-in drama of Shute's war stories but that makes me like it better. I think the engineer hero must have something of Shute in him.

Thanks Robin - that sounds like another Shute winner

Robin wrote: "My favorite is Trustee from the Toolroom. The hero lives a small life, in fact his job is building miniature models and writing about them. But circumstances compel him to travel literally around t..."

Hi Robin - I thought that book was supposed to be historically "semi-autobiographical" anyway.
Did think that I read that somewhere years ago...but I may have got that wrong.

I just read another Nevil Shute book, and I think it is so far my favorite.

Here follow my review of Beyond The Black Stump:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I liked it so much I immediately picked up another -- The Rainbow and the Rose .

I have gotten around to writing a review of The Rainbow and the Rose by Nevil Shute. I did not think it was as good as Beyond The Black Stump.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I’ve just started Round the Bend, my second Shute. ( My first was the obvious A Town Like Alice more years ago than I care to remember.) He’s one of those authors that I’d rather forgotten about. I decided to read it as I was looking for a book by a Bahraini author or - failing that - set in Bahrain

Has anyone else read it?

Clare wrote: "I’ve just started Round the Bend, my second Shute. ( My first was the obvious A Town Like Alice more years ago than I care to remember.) He’s one of those authors that I..."

That one by Shute I have not read. I am curious to know what you think. Please link your review here when you are done.

Chrissie wrote: "Clare wrote: "I’ve just started Round the Bend, my second Shute. ( My first was the obvious A Town Like Alice more years ago than I care to remember.) He’s one of those ..."

Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I felt the premise and the locations were interesting, but I struggled with the flatness of the prose style. I was also expecting more insight into Cutter’s inner life.

Clare wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Clare wrote: "I’ve just started Round the Bend, my second Shute. ( My first was the obvious A Town Like Alice more years ago than I care to remember.) H..."

Thanks for your review. I do not think that one I will get soon. Ruined City is probably the one I will pick next. I am never blown away by Shute's prose

I've just started


A Town Like Alice (1950)

My first Nevil Shute

Early days, but so far I'm impressed and really enjoying it

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.


Greg seems to have nailed his appeal....

Greg wrote: "Nevil Shute's novels may seem simple and quaint in 2019. They're consistently good solid human interest stories showing the better side of human nature in difficult situations, and well researched technical details. Shute's novels trademark style has an emphasis on decency. During WWII people needed hope and a feel good story. The post war years were of prosperity and happy times ahead.

Nevil Shute knew the mood. He wasn't likely to win the Nobel Prize in Literature but he sure was popular."

Loved the first part of this one Nige but didn’t really take to the 2nd half. Loved the atmosphere described about living and life in Australia back then but not so taken with the romantic fairy tale storyline for the remainder of the book. Just me though, I know.

Funny enough, the same thing happened for me when reading ‘Brave New World’ - loved the first half but not the second.

I remember loving A Town Like Alice when I read it as a teenager, but I don't remember anything about it now really.

Thanks Ian. Thanks Judy


I'm currently tramping around Malaysia with a group of British women and children as the occupying Japanese march them about, ostensibly to a POW camp that may or may not exist.

They've covered about 500 miles so far and not surprisingly over half of them have died of exhaustion, malaria, dysentery, dengue fever etc.

It's grim and powerful stuff, but told with sensitivity and humanity.

Nigeyb wrote: "Thanks Ian. Thanks Judy


I'm currently tramping around Malaysia with a group of British women and children as the occupying Japanese march them about, ostensibly to a POW camp that may or may not ..."

Hi Nige - just wondered how you were getting on with ‘Alice’?

Just picked up ‘The Far Country’ which is a Shute romantic tale centred on the strains and worries regarding whether to emigrate to Australia or not...just like himself.

Has anybody read this story?

Ian wrote: "Hi Nige - just wondered how you were getting on with ‘A Town Like Alice’?"


I thoroughly enjoying it Ian. I'm about two thirds through it now.

Nevil Shute is brilliant at evoking a sense of place (Malaya, Australia, post-war England etc).

At present I'm immersed in the world of the Australian outback in the post war years. It's full of rich detail. The central character Jean Paget is very likeable and I'm completely charmed by it. It's a wholesome, simple and effective tale related by a consumate storyteller. It's very obvious why A Town Like Alice is so popular and beloved. Wonderful stuff.




Ian wrote: "Just picked up ‘The Far Country which is a Shute romantic tale centred on the strains and worries regarding whether to emigrate to Australia or not...just like himself.

Has anybody read this story?"

How is that one going Ian?

Should I give it a go?

Glad you are enjoying the ride, Nige!

Not started The Far Country yet, but planning on doing so soon.

I remember enjoying A Town Like Alice. Funnily enough, one of the things I remember most is how hot is that part of the world.

I loved A Town Like Alice when I was in my teens, and now can't think of a reason why I never got back to Shute. Too many other books I suppose.

Ian wrote: "Hi Nige - just wondered how you were getting on with ‘A Town Like Alice’?"


Nearly finished it now Ian.

Utterly delightful.

I think the Queensland scenes at the end are the best thing about it, but the whole book is enchanting.

Definitely going to be a five star read.

Great stuff, Nige!

Ian wrote: "Great stuff, Nige!"


Thanks Ian

I've finished it now

I loved it

Here’s my review

5/5

Excellent. Cheers Nige - will view the review later.

What a great storyteller though!

Ian wrote: "What a great storyteller though!"


Thanks Ian. I was wondering about Nevil Shute's storytelling skills, and specifically how typical A Town Like Alice is when compared with his other work. Anyone able to help me out?

Also, what would you recommend as my next Shute?

I thought that his dystopian ‘On the Beach’ was pretty good, Nige.
Well worth giving it a go.

Thanks Ian


I'll try that one next then

Ruined City by Nevil Shute is good. If Shute's way of writing appeals to you, I am pretty sure you will like this novel too, It is set in England during the Depression.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Sounds right up my street Chrissie


Thanks

I will certainly get back to Nev after thoroughly enjoying A Town Like Alice

You're welcome.

I have mentioned the magnificent Backlisted podcast many times before. If you have never tried it, then do yourself a favour and listen to the 200th episode. I am only 25 minutes in and it is a complete delight.

Richard Osman is the guest and he is really great value. I had no idea just how successful he has been as a writer - breaking publishing records right, left and centre, yet still clearly a lovely unaffected individual

And there's a lot of love for Barbara Pym and JL Carr


Check it out. You will thank me.



Oh and the book under discussion is....


Trustee from the Toolroom (1960)

by

Nevil Shute


https://www.backlisted.fm/episodes/20...


For our 200th episode, we are joined by Richard Osman: television presenter, longtime Backlisted listener, and one of the bestselling authors in the world today. We discuss Trustee from the Toolroom (1960), the final novel by Nevil Shute Norway, whose other books include A Town Like Alice (1950) and On the Beach (1957), widely read in his lifetime but now somewhat forgotten or ignored. How did Shute's long and distinguished stint as an aeronautical engineer fit with his parallel career as a prominent and much-loved author? And what do his tales of ordinary people doing extraordinary things have to offer us in the 21st century? Richard also shares with John and Andy what he's been reading this week; and if you've been with us from the start, you will appreciate his choices all the more.

Books mentioned:
Nevil Shute - Trustee from the Toolroom; A Town Like Alice; On the Beach; In the Wet; Slide Rule: An Autobigraphy
Richard Osman - The Thursday Murder Club; The Man Who Died Twice; The Bullet That Missed; The Last Devil to Die
J.L. Carr - A Month in the Country
Alan Partridge - A Big Beacon; A Big Beacon (audiobook)
Barbara Pym - Quartet in Autumn

PS: If anyone wants to do Trustee from the Toolroom as a buddy in early 2024 then I'm so here for that