Lost Horizon [Trilogy Edition]
About this ebook
Said to have been inspired by reading the National Geographic Magazine articles of a botanist and ethnologist who explored the southwestern Chinese provinces and Tibetan borderlands, the name "Shangri-La" has become a by-word for a mythical utopia, a permanently happy land, isolated from the world, and one that captivated the world's imagination—from Roosevelt naming his Maryland presidential retreat "Shangri-La" to the Zhongdian mountain region of Southwest China being renamed Shangri-La (Xianggelila).
The novel won James Hilton the Hawthornden Prize in 1934 and was also immortalized in a movie version in 1937 by influential director Frank Capra.
"Hilton's premise strikes a deep chord in today's 'everything is relative' society. His utopia retains all its charm and, in his creation of Shangri-La, he added something permanently to the language"—Guardian
"Lost Horizon introduced the world to a Tibetan paradise where people live extraordinarily long lives of peace, harmony and wisdom. Expertly plotted and deftly written, Hilton's book suggests mysteries without spelling them out - and leaves us wanting more"—New York Times
"James Hilton invented the name Shangri-La for a paradise on earth in a book that captured the imagination of a public dealing with financial hardships and the threat of Nazism"—Observer
"The important thing to note about this very fine novel—the tale of an adventure in Tibet—is that it is unusual and the product of a first-class mind...a wildly exciting story, nightmare, fantasy, or what you will"—Daily Express
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About the author
JAMES HILTON (9 September 1900 - 20 December 1954) was an English novelist best remembered for several best-sellers, including Lost Horizon and Goodbye, Mr. Chips. He also wrote Hollywood screenplays.
Born in Leigh, Lancashire, England, he was educated at The Leys School, Cambridge and then at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he wrote his first novel and received an honours degree in English literature. He started work as a journalist, first for the Manchester Guardian, then reviewing fiction for the Daily Telegraph. His first novel, Catherine Herself, was published in 1920 whilst still an undergraduate.
When he moved to California around 1938, his work became more connected with the Hollywood film industry. He won an Academy Award in 1942 for his work on the screenplay of Mrs. Miniver, based on the novel by Jan Struther. He also hosted The Hallmark Playhouse from 1948-1953 for CBS Radio.
He died in 1954 aged 54.
