Shute has been one of my favourite authors for over 40 years. I think his books like "On the Beach" and "A Town like Alice" are almost perfect. He was able to tell a good story, very clearly and very well ( Hilary Mantell could learn a lot from Shute ! )
I come across one of his lesser-known books in a charity shop 2 weeks ago, and finished it last night....."Chequer Board" and I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. there are now only 2 of his books left that I have never read and hopefully I will find them soon.
At the time the national obsession was that the coming war would feature gas attack - everyone had their own gas mask to be carried at all times, and regular practice at donning them.
He foresaw with this book that this would not materialise, but mass bonbing of cities would happen.
Love all the Neville Shute books and think I have most of them. My all time favourite is In The Wet closely followed by A Town Like Alice. Requiem for a Wren is also a good read. First one I ever read was Trustee from the Toolroom - more technical but still a cracking read. What ones are you still looking for mikey?