I’m glad my little list inspired you and that you know that the book and musical will be different. From my understanding, there’s very little about the book that’s like the musical. The book can be very grim and sad.

Let me know what you think of it when you’re done with it. Have a good weekend!

There are a few reasons why A Town Like Alice reminds me of freedom.

When Jean inherits from her deceased uncle, he didn’t trust she would spend the money in the most appropriate fashion because she was a woman. The lawyer that administered the trust, and later befriends Jean, his job is the make sure she doesn’t “fritter” away the money. She had to face her own personal demons from her time in Malaya, plus convince him of the worthiness of her cause, to secure enough of the inheritance money to travel back and install the wash area in the town that harbored her, and her fellow prisoners, during WW2. To me, what she goes through internally, and how her story is shared, exemplifies personal freedom. She wasn’t going to let her own timidness, her personal demons or the common thought of the day of what was proper for women to deter her from returning the kindness she felt paid to her.

When she realizes that Joe didn’t meet the fate she had thought, she makes decisions that may not make practical sense to conservative thought. She expands her thoughts on what she can do, what she’s capable of. In the process she learns much about herself and what good can come from following what you believe to be correct for your own life, even if it might not fit popular convention.

edit: When she was a prisoner of war in Malaya, she had to keep a freedom based rational or she wouldn’t make it. She kept herself motivated, along with the people in her troupe, as they faced death, hunger, fear and the unknown. The unknown, I think, can be the worst opposition to maintaining your resolve to survive, and only those who maintain a freedom outlook can rise to the occasion and lead. I believe Jean did that and helped many of her fellow prisoners see the end of the war.

It isn’t “red, white and blue” Fourth of July freedom. It’s more about personal freedom and having the courage to follow the path you need to, even if you have to go it alone. I hope this explanation helps answer your question.

Take care.