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pccarol's review against another edition
4.0
It poses the obvious question about what would one do if they found paradise on earth (Shangri-La.) And of course it must explore what paradise means to different people. I read the book in anticipation of viewing the DVD and found the most wonderful quote! "Laziness in doing stupid things can be a great virtue." My list of stupid things seems to grow as I age.
hercher's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book as a kid but remembered very little of it. When I found it in the last remaining bookstore in Scranton, PA during its "going out of business" sale, I had to pick it up. It doesn't disappoint.
Strongly recommended.
Strongly recommended.
tryingpeopletx's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating concept and sadly evergreen outlook on humanity's likelihood of destroying ourselves. I enjoyed the framework of a manuscript bookended by chance meetings of school acquaintances, and the writing and descriptions are lovely. Now I want to read more Hilton.
birdgirl302's review against another edition
5.0
We had to read this sophomore year in high school. I clearly remember Mr. Bender reading excerpts of it out loud to the class. I wanted to hate it, as was expected of all required reading. But it quickly became a favorite.
If you're looking for a little balance to the 1984, Animal Farm, Clockwork Orange, Brave New World high school curriculum, take a breather with Lost Horizon*.
(Side note: don't you think it's a little cruel that on top of dealing with pimples, hormones, oily hair, gossip and annoying grown ups we also were forced to read half a dozen books about future dystopian societies from grades 9 through 12? Lucky for me, I loved all of them.)
*A little trivia for you- lost horizon was the first paperback ever printed!
If you're looking for a little balance to the 1984, Animal Farm, Clockwork Orange, Brave New World high school curriculum, take a breather with Lost Horizon*.
(Side note: don't you think it's a little cruel that on top of dealing with pimples, hormones, oily hair, gossip and annoying grown ups we also were forced to read half a dozen books about future dystopian societies from grades 9 through 12? Lucky for me, I loved all of them.)
*A little trivia for you- lost horizon was the first paperback ever printed!
thayawar's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A fun read and very interesting and mysterious etc etc definitely dated but I forgive that
carmenrlawrence's review against another edition
5.0
Love the style of writing and format. The way it's written kept me guessing and trying to figure it out to the last paragraph! Definitely characteristic of the orientalist themes prevalent at time of publication, but a wonderful story of finding yourself and self sacrifice nonetheless.
kelly_ann_s's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a very enjoyable read, made more so because I read it as a buddy read with some of my bookish friends. This was my first time reading this book and I feel that it's an interesting mix between adventure, fantasy and a bit of mysticism.
The story is set in the early 1930's when two British diplomats, a missionary and a slightly mysterious American are transported to a remote and fantastical lamasery in Tibet only to discover that it is called Shangri-La. I've read and heard many references to Shangri-La but did not realize that it originated in this book.
In the references that I've heard, Shangri-La is always portrayed as utopia. In Milton's story however, while there was a certain sense of peace, I didn't feel like it was utopia - certainly not MY utopia. It is a serene environment and though remote, inhabitants do not lack the modern conveniences of the time, including modern plumbing, baths, hot water, food and of course, books. Although I often choose my own company over that of others, I would not like the enforced isolation and the lack of choice around it.
You will have to read to book and decide whether Shangri-La is real or simply the fantastical imagining of our protagonist, Conway.
The story is set in the early 1930's when two British diplomats, a missionary and a slightly mysterious American are transported to a remote and fantastical lamasery in Tibet only to discover that it is called Shangri-La. I've read and heard many references to Shangri-La but did not realize that it originated in this book.
In the references that I've heard, Shangri-La is always portrayed as utopia. In Milton's story however, while there was a certain sense of peace, I didn't feel like it was utopia - certainly not MY utopia. It is a serene environment and though remote, inhabitants do not lack the modern conveniences of the time, including modern plumbing, baths, hot water, food and of course, books. Although I often choose my own company over that of others, I would not like the enforced isolation and the lack of choice around it.
You will have to read to book and decide whether Shangri-La is real or simply the fantastical imagining of our protagonist, Conway.
melissariggs's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting read-4 people hijacked and end up in Shangri-La where they are pretty much stuck due to extreme conditions. I felt the ending was rushed and would be interested to read the stories of the other 3 people as this book focused on Conway's point of view.
"While attempting to escape a civil war, four people are kidnapped and transported to the Tibetan mountains. After their plane crashes, they are found by a mysterious Chinese man. He leads them to a monastery hidden in "the valley of the blue moon" -- a land of mystery and matchless beauty where life is lived in tranquil wonder, beyond the grasp of a doomed world. It is here, in Shangri-La, where destinies will be discovered and the meaning of paradise will be unveiled."
"While attempting to escape a civil war, four people are kidnapped and transported to the Tibetan mountains. After their plane crashes, they are found by a mysterious Chinese man. He leads them to a monastery hidden in "the valley of the blue moon" -- a land of mystery and matchless beauty where life is lived in tranquil wonder, beyond the grasp of a doomed world. It is here, in Shangri-La, where destinies will be discovered and the meaning of paradise will be unveiled."
zulukilo123's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wanda_clayr's review against another edition
4.0
I'm reasonably sure that I first read this book at age 13 because my best friend was reading it, so basically a buddy read. I've been meaning to reread it for some time and now, 50 years later, I managed to find a few friends to buddy read with me again. I'm quite convinced that I didn't really understand it as a teen, although I couldn't recall any details.
I found myself comparing Lost Horizon with H. Rider Haggard's She. Both involve Englishmen who stumble into lost civilizations. Of course neither could possibly be run by a local inhabitant—in both cases they are overseen by a mysterious Caucasian. It is difficult to find either civilization but those who are meant to be there are drawn to them. Freaky long life is featured in both instances. (And I wore out our school's copy of She because I loved it so much. The librarian gave me the discarded copy.)
I have to say that the life at Shangri-la didn't appeal to me at all, despite presumably having much more time to tackle my TBR. The older I get, the less happy I am with cold weather, something pretty unavoidable in the Himalayas. I don't think of myself as particularly social, but the limited number of people available would certainly give me pause. It is interesting to me that Shangri-la has become identified as a utopian society, a place to be sought out. It could just as easily be a dystopia. It is also fascinating that real-life expeditions have tried to search for it. Hilton obviously hit a nerve.
I was left with a kind of delicious limbo, wondering if Conway's experience was real or the result of a PTSD fugue state. The neuroscientist who frames the story with prologue and epilogue gives just enough tantalizing details to tease but not to confirm. Being one of those people who love ambiguous endings, this was a good novel for me.
I found myself comparing Lost Horizon with H. Rider Haggard's She. Both involve Englishmen who stumble into lost civilizations. Of course neither could possibly be run by a local inhabitant—in both cases they are overseen by a mysterious Caucasian. It is difficult to find either civilization but those who are meant to be there are drawn to them. Freaky long life is featured in both instances. (And I wore out our school's copy of She because I loved it so much. The librarian gave me the discarded copy.)
I have to say that the life at Shangri-la didn't appeal to me at all, despite presumably having much more time to tackle my TBR. The older I get, the less happy I am with cold weather, something pretty unavoidable in the Himalayas. I don't think of myself as particularly social, but the limited number of people available would certainly give me pause. It is interesting to me that Shangri-la has become identified as a utopian society, a place to be sought out. It could just as easily be a dystopia. It is also fascinating that real-life expeditions have tried to search for it. Hilton obviously hit a nerve.
I was left with a kind of delicious limbo, wondering if Conway's experience was real or the result of a PTSD fugue state. The neuroscientist who frames the story with prologue and epilogue gives just enough tantalizing details to tease but not to confirm. Being one of those people who love ambiguous endings, this was a good novel for me.