You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This book was about a group of people caught up in a plane hijacking and taken to a mysterious utopia in Tibet. I enjoyed the protagonist, Conway, with his easygoing, introverted personality and his respect for Chinese and Tibetan culture. What I disliked was that we didn't actually get to meet any Tibetans, which was kind of strange considering it was set in Tibet before Chinese occupation. The characters were either Chinese or European, and the Tibetans were mentioned but did not interact with the main cast. I also disliked that there wasn't any action. Hardly any conflict between characters, whether mental or physical. There was just a lot of sitting around. But it was more of a philosophical book, and in that area it did well.
A very interesting book. I found it very odd for the first part but as I started putting pieces together I grew to love it. I think I'll end up reading it again in the near future because its a good tale that gives you something to think about.
Now I need to see the movie.
Now I need to see the movie.
Despite its popularity once upon a time, this book seems to have mostly faded from literary memory (except for passing references to Shangri-La), which is a shame because it's smart, funny, full of adventure, and surprisingly profound in places. Kind of the novel version of an Indiana Jones movie. Worth a read!
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Many years later, I still think about this book- particularly about how lovely it would be to have time slow down so that I could read more books. The beautiful and slow unveiling of the way Shangri-La works is so enjoyable to read about. Would definitely read it again!
My Recommendation: Pass. It wasn’t that great of a read. There are better utopian fiction books out there and although this novel has a unique perspective — especially when you take into account it’s publication date and world events (1933, Great Depression, eve of WWII).
My Response: I read this book for our library book group, Books into Films. I just finished watching the film and as usual, the book was much better. I think you could say the film is ‘loosely’ – if even that – based on the book. There were so many additions that I was rather confused throughout.
My Response: I read this book for our library book group, Books into Films. I just finished watching the film and as usual, the book was much better. I think you could say the film is ‘loosely’ – if even that – based on the book. There were so many additions that I was rather confused throughout.
The novel, however, was well written and interesting enough if you can get past the first somewhat rather dull ‘old boys club’ sitting around a table rehashing their youth bit. If you make it past this bit, you see experience the (after the publication of this novel) legendary Shangri-La.
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
This was my second or third time reading Lost Horizon, and I've loved it every time.