Two Englishmen, a woman missionary, and an American fleeing the consequences of shady financial deals are traveling companions.
Lost Horizon
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
Novel by James Hilton, published in 1933. Hugh Conway, a veteran member of the British diplomatic service, finds inner peace, love, and a sense of purpose in Shangri-La, a utopian lamasery high in the Himalayas in Tibet. -- The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
141 of 149 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The story of a group of people who survive an airplane crash in Tibet and find shelter at a mysterious monastery is extremely well known, but unlike most novels, Lost Horizon is less about its characters and their siutation--interesting though those elements may be--than it is about their thoughts and ideas. Written as it was on eve of World War II, these thoughts and ideas center upon developing a way of life that preserves, rather than destroys, that which is finest in both humanity and the world in general.
The novel is elegantly and simply written and possesses tremendous atmosphere. Although enjoyable as a purely "fun" read, it is also thought provoking, and the thoughts it provokes linger long after the book is laid aside. I can not imagine any one not being moved by the book, both emotionally and intellectually, regardless of their background or interests. If such a person exists, I do not think I would care to meet them.
Although James Hilton wrote a number of worthy novels, Lost Horizon is the novel for which he is best remembered, a great popular success when first published and a genuine masterpiece of 20th Century literature.
96 of 101 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
When I was a teenager, I went to see the movie Lost Horizon seven times. During my 74 years, I read the book many times. After I retired, I made four trips to that part of the world, and spent many months each time searching for that wonderful Shangri-La dream. If you have never read Hilton's classic, and you are a person with an optimistic spiritual outlook, then The Lost Horizon is a must for you. If you read it and want to believe it, then you should visit Burma and the temples of the ancient city of Pagon, and then spend time in the three kingdoms of the Himalayas: Nepal, Ladakh and Bhutan, in that order. You will be moved to tell others, or write about your spiritual experience. I was so moved. May your days be filled with the magic of life. Sirrom
59 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
What struck me most about this book is how non-dated it was for having been written in 1933. First of all, the story starts in Afghanistan during an airlift to evacuate foreign nationals during an anti-western revolution. Next, the main characters are essentially skyjacked to an unknown destination against their will for unknown purposes. As for the characters, they seem very familiar and contemporary also: a world-weary and burned-out government bureaucrat, a gung-ho and impatient young military officer, a business man that has stolen over 100 million dollars from investors through stock fraud, and a fundamentalist Christian missionary that believes in one "true" religion and holds all others in contempt. There is also the conviction among several of these characters that globally "the whole game's going to pieces."
However, there is also something hauntingly timeless about this story. It occurs to me that the hidden civilization of Shangri-La is based on the mythical kingdom of Shambhala, where immortal masters live that look after the evolution and welfare of mankind. The great mountain of Karacul that looms over the valley also seems symbolic of Mt. Meru- the axis of the cosmos- and where the gods are reputed to dwell. It is certainly no coincidence that most of the people that find Shangri-La are the world weary- and the journey comes close to killing them. That would seem to be a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment. For this is what the lucky and the worthy find in Shangri-La, all the time in the world, or rather out of the world, for contemplation, preservation of all the worthy attainments of the human race, and the pursuit of wisdom. Sounds pretty close to heaven to me....
An interesting side note is the fact that _Lost Horizon_ was the first paperback title ever published by Pocket Books in 1939. This particular edition bears the same classic cover art as the original.
However, there is also something hauntingly timeless about this story. It occurs to me that the hidden civilization of Shangri-La is based on the mythical kingdom of Shambhala, where immortal masters live that look after the evolution and welfare of mankind. The great mountain of Karacul that looms over the valley also seems symbolic of Mt. Meru- the axis of the cosmos- and where the gods are reputed to dwell. It is certainly no coincidence that most of the people that find Shangri-La are the world weary- and the journey comes close to killing them. That would seem to be a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment. For this is what the lucky and the worthy find in Shangri-La, all the time in the world, or rather out of the world, for contemplation, preservation of all the worthy attainments of the human race, and the pursuit of wisdom. Sounds pretty close to heaven to me....
An interesting side note is the fact that _Lost Horizon_ was the first paperback title ever published by Pocket Books in 1939. This particular edition bears the same classic cover art as the original.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Worth Reading
Just returned from a trip to Bhutan and saw the Tiger's Nest Monastery which I believe this book was based on. It was majestic as was Bhutan. Read more
Published 9 days ago by William Loeffler
5.0 out of 5 stars
classic
Great story and well written. It a great escape from the everyday. Its a quick read. Would recommend to anyone type of reader.
Published 16 days ago by Tara W Curtis
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good
For an easy read, this is on a par with King Solomon's Mines for the interest in the plot and the whimsy of the story. Read more
Published 17 days ago by TruxtonSpangler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must-read for the educated person
A top-five book for me. Lost Horizon isn't a thriller, but I kept turning the pages anyway, caught up in the wanderlust of the characters, the (still topical) sense of foreboding... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kolya
2.0 out of 5 stars
njot crazy about it
having seen the movie several times over the past many years, there is no comparison.the onset plot in the movie is a much better and more interesting story. Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Donath
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book about life
It was a wonderful book. This is what the world could be like if everyone loved each other, accepted each other, and just lived day to day
Published 1 month ago by Linda Zaleski
2.0 out of 5 stars
Review of the pretty boring book.
I gave it this rating because the book nearly put me to sleep at times but was OK at others. The book is a simple book. Nothing really happens in the book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jordan Decorah
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic for all generations
Having seen both movies, I have been interested to read the classic novel that launched the legend of Shangrila. I liked the book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Eric Cluff
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic setting, lackluster story
You don't need me to tell you that the setting of Lost Horizon is fantastic, considering how Shangri-La has stood the test of time to become a cultural icon. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Nick Carr
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good book
Really enjoyed this book. So very glad it has now become available on Kindle. It is a very well written thought provoking book.
Published 2 months ago by JMB
