MacLean, Alistair South by Java Head

An exciting (if overblown) World War 2 yarn, opening in Singapore during the last hours before the city’s fall to the Japanese in February 1942, and then following the sea escape of a handful of British and Dutch nationals aboard the fictitious coaster KERRY DANCER (and later aboard the fictitious tanker VIROMA) south through the Java Sea. MacLean’s tale starts off realistically, but soon veers into the “Perils of Pauline” school of fiction. The Japanese military are all portrayed as evil sadists. Interestingly enough, a German (“Nazi”) spy also surfaces and he becomes so disgusted at Japanese treatment of their captives that he helps the prisoners escape to a (conveniently) waiting American warship.