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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
4.5 Stars.
What a lovely, lovely, magical book. If I were an English teacher, I would teach this one immediately. What an intriguing premise and much to discuss. I read a lot of it while listening to the soundtrack of Inception - it fit perfectly.
I loved [b:The Lost World|10155|The Lost World (Professor Challenger, #1)|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320504012s/10155.jpg|1098725] and have been looking for another book that would give me that feeling. This fit the bill. Excellent read.
What a lovely, lovely, magical book. If I were an English teacher, I would teach this one immediately. What an intriguing premise and much to discuss. I read a lot of it while listening to the soundtrack of Inception - it fit perfectly.
I loved [b:The Lost World|10155|The Lost World (Professor Challenger, #1)|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320504012s/10155.jpg|1098725] and have been looking for another book that would give me that feeling. This fit the bill. Excellent read.
An amazing timeless story.
I have read this story several times both as a teenager and as an adult and it's amazing how it's still moves me.
I have read this story several times both as a teenager and as an adult and it's amazing how it's still moves me.
The Original Novel 5 Stars (still)
The Adaptation 3.5 Stars
Lost Horizon is the immortal classic that everyone has heard about but few have actually read, even so the phrase Shangri-La itself has become synonym with the lost paradise or past.
I simply love this story, the sweet melancholy and pathos of Hilton's storytelling has always struck a chord with me, even though i accept that the sentimentality and simplicity is not to anyone s taste.
This version is a BBC Radio 4 adaptation/dramatization in 3 parts, with Derek Jacobi (who's always brilliant).
Running only 3 hours it's quite abridged but manages anyway to capture a lot of the atmosphere of the novel, still given the cast and production capability I think they could have done so much more with it.
Note: I still find it incredible that no one has made a decent movie or TV adaptation of this masterpiece, not counting Capra nearly complete version from 1937.
The Adaptation 3.5 Stars
Lost Horizon is the immortal classic that everyone has heard about but few have actually read, even so the phrase Shangri-La itself has become synonym with the lost paradise or past.
I simply love this story, the sweet melancholy and pathos of Hilton's storytelling has always struck a chord with me, even though i accept that the sentimentality and simplicity is not to anyone s taste.
This version is a BBC Radio 4 adaptation/dramatization in 3 parts, with Derek Jacobi (who's always brilliant).
Running only 3 hours it's quite abridged but manages anyway to capture a lot of the atmosphere of the novel, still given the cast and production capability I think they could have done so much more with it.
Note: I still find it incredible that no one has made a decent movie or TV adaptation of this masterpiece, not counting Capra nearly complete version from 1937.
I've read two books this year about Shangri-La. Most of those at bookclub will review this book on its own, but I can't help but make a comparison. Lost in Shangri-La (January 2012) is a non-fiction and the people there are a primitive civilization. In the book, Lost Horizons, Shangri-La is paradise.
I enjoyed reading Lost Horizons, but I also enjoyed our discussion at bookclub. We talked about our ideal afterlife (paradise). I loved that Shangri-La had music, art, literature and culture. We didn't like that family and friends were unnecessary for their idea of paradise.
I thought it was also interesting to see how different personalities reacted to going to Shangri-La (they were kidnapped!). One adapted, one felt trapped, one felt she was helping savages and the other was hiding. Interesting that the only American in the story was a swindler.
I enjoyed reading Lost Horizons, but I also enjoyed our discussion at bookclub. We talked about our ideal afterlife (paradise). I loved that Shangri-La had music, art, literature and culture. We didn't like that family and friends were unnecessary for their idea of paradise.
I thought it was also interesting to see how different personalities reacted to going to Shangri-La (they were kidnapped!). One adapted, one felt trapped, one felt she was helping savages and the other was hiding. Interesting that the only American in the story was a swindler.
Always one of my favorite books about what could be
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Beautifully written and enthralling. Hilton makes lush creativity and depth seem simple and effortless.
This was absolutely splendid. I'm not sure how I made it my whole life never having heard of it. Of course, I've heard of Shangri-la, but I just assumed it had something to do with Buddhism, not having originated in a British book.
Anyway, I deeply enjoyed this book, and have really latched on to the writings of this era - it's fascinating to see what's different (there are definitely words for groups of people we don't say anymore) and what hasn't changed (Americans are obsessed with money).
Anyway, I deeply enjoyed this book, and have really latched on to the writings of this era - it's fascinating to see what's different (there are definitely words for groups of people we don't say anymore) and what hasn't changed (Americans are obsessed with money).