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cemoses's review against another edition
4.0
It can be difficult to both read and review books where parts of the book have entered the popular culture. In this case it would be Shangra-La.
The plot of the book is modern but readers may find the pace of the book slow. I was disappointed because I felt there was more of a mystery than the book explained. There might be a good sequel to the book for some modern writer to attempt.
The plot of the book is modern but readers may find the pace of the book slow. I was disappointed because I felt there was more of a mystery than the book explained. There might be a good sequel to the book for some modern writer to attempt.
meganjaco's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
"What most observers failed to perceive in him was something quite bafflingly simple - a love of quietness, contemplation, and being alone."
James Hilton's Lost Horizon, set in the the mystical Shangri-La, carries readers on a slow ascent to adventure and risk. British war veteran, Conway, finds himself held captive on a aircraft along with three other passengers who hoped to take leave in England following their service in WWI. They land in unfamiliar Tibetan mountains, strangely greeted by residents of Shangri-La. How did they foresee their coming? Conway begins to unravel the beauty of Tibet and Shangri-La's deepest secrets as the group settles in.
It's not that anything drastic happens, rather a slow progression through Conway's psyche and the value of Time - rejecting hurry, excess, and the tumultuous state of the Western world. Can you be content within the quiet hum of your own mind?
James Hilton's Lost Horizon, set in the the mystical Shangri-La, carries readers on a slow ascent to adventure and risk. British war veteran, Conway, finds himself held captive on a aircraft along with three other passengers who hoped to take leave in England following their service in WWI. They land in unfamiliar Tibetan mountains, strangely greeted by residents of Shangri-La. How did they foresee their coming? Conway begins to unravel the beauty of Tibet and Shangri-La's deepest secrets as the group settles in.
It's not that anything drastic happens, rather a slow progression through Conway's psyche and the value of Time - rejecting hurry, excess, and the tumultuous state of the Western world. Can you be content within the quiet hum of your own mind?
timewriter's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Putting aside the somewhat olden tones of mind sexism and racism, the book was an interesting read. Speaking about moderation and only moderately being passionabme and moderately doing everything makes you wonder if to much of something is bad. To much ambition can lead to harming others, to much passion can lead to carelessness, etc. the ending left you questioning what is reality and what isn’t. Who was trapped and who wanted to be there? If you get rid of aging do you get rid of what makes up humanity?
czarchasm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
curlypip's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmmm. I’m pretty sure that the Shangri-La I just visited is not the Shangri-La from this story.....
I enjoyed the story including the archaic language and out of date turns or phrase, but I hated the ending. I really, really hate books that leave you hanging
I enjoyed the story including the archaic language and out of date turns or phrase, but I hated the ending. I really, really hate books that leave you hanging
irenekelly's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
elegyeldritch's review against another edition
3.0
A fun little adventure, exploring the charming yet haunting village of Shangri-La.
nerissassippi's review against another edition
3.0
This is an interesting story, both because of its historical legacy of Shangri-La and for its look into the psyche of at least one Brit after WWI. The emotional devastation after the war is evident in some of the weariness than Conway feels and in the epochal warnings of the high Lama. It presents Eastern religions as a balm for the wounds caused by the outside world with hints of Buddhist and Confucian mindsets. Though the tale felt a little shallow and rushed to me. I would have liked for Hilton to have spent more time on the Conway's struggle with his final decision.