Lost Horizon : A Novel
by James Hilton
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Book Summary Information
Author: James HiltonEdition: Paperback
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 2004-06-01
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 256
Book Reviews of Lost Horizon : A Novel
Book Review: Great Story That Takes On Different Meaning with New Reading
Summary: 4 Stars
This 1939 story is a classic and created the legend of Shangri-La. But in the years since, the book has grown a bit outdated and upon second reading it's not quite the five-star novella that one recalls.
I loved this book when young and hadn't read it in at least 25 years--when I recently picked it up again I was surprised by many things I hadn't noticed before. The author has not just created an ideal world where time slows down, but has also created a place where there is no right or wrong, Christianity (and Catholicism) are changed to the point where they become meaningless, and war is always just beyond the horizon. There are also references to everything being done in moderation in this perfect world, including vices such as doing drugs and having sex with strangers. It isn't quite the spiritually uplifting message that some claim it is.
All these years later the message of the book now seems odd--it paints an almost perfect world where everyone gets along by allowing some people to get away with doing what is now considered wrong. It says that the way to live longer is to give up all your passions and become passionless. That seems the opposite of conclusions from studies about people who age successfully today.
Having seen the 1970s movie more recently than I had last read the book, I was surprised how different the film story was. In some ways I like some of the movie's changes better. In comparison, the book doesn't flow as well (using an opening and closing narration), but that was Hilton's style to intentionally make the narrative rather choppy and even understated. He did it in Goodbye Mr. Chips and it happens again here.
Today his writing style seems dated and it takes awhile to get fully into this book. He is still a great author who raised fascinating issues in this book, especially as they apply to what was happening just before World War II. If you give it time the last half speeds by to a very intriguing conclusion.
Summary of Lost Horizon : A Novel
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.
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