Lost Horizon (novel) facts for kids
postcard promotion 1937
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| Author | James Hilton |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy, Fiction, novel, adventure |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
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Publication date
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1933 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-1-84024-353-6 (UK) ISBN: 978-0-06-059452-7 (US) |
Lost Horizon is a famous novel written in 1933 by an English author named James Hilton. In this book, Hilton created a magical place hidden high in the Tibetan mountains. This perfect city, where people could live for hundreds of years, was called Shangri-La. It's a story about finding peace and a special purpose in life.
Contents
Plot Summary
The story of Lost Horizon is told through a friend of the main character, Hugh Conway. This friend writes down Conway's amazing adventure.
The Story Begins
Hugh Conway is a British diplomat, a person who represents their country in other nations. He is 37 years old and has seen a lot, especially during World War I. This has made him feel very tired and older than his years.
In May 1931, during a time of trouble in British India, Conway and three other people are flying in an airplane. The others are Mallinson, a young helper; Barnard, an American; and Miss Brinklow, a British missionary. Their plane is suddenly taken over and flown far away, deep into the mountains of Tibet.
Discovering Shangri-La
After a rough landing, the pilot dies. But before he passes away, he tells them to find help at a nearby lamasery called Shangri-La. A lamasery is a monastery where Buddhist monks live.
They don't know exactly where they are, but Conway thinks they have crossed the huge Himalayas mountains. A man named Chang, who speaks English, greets them at Shangri-La. He takes them to the lamasery.
Shangri-La is a surprising place. It has modern comforts like central heating and a huge library. There are also musical instruments like a grand piano and a harpsichord. The food comes from the valley below. Outside, there is a giant mountain called Karakal, which means "Blue Moon."
Mallinson wants to leave right away, but Chang politely stops him. The others start to enjoy their stay. Miss Brinklow wants to teach the people about sin. Barnard is happy because he is hiding from the police and hopes to find gold. Conway, however, loves the quiet life of studying and learning.
The High Lama's Secret
Conway meets the High Lama, the leader of Shangri-La. He learns that the lamasery was built by a Catholic monk named Perrault many years ago, in the early 1700s. Since then, other people who found their way into the valley have joined them.
The High Lama reveals a big secret: people who live in the valley age very, very slowly. They can live for hundreds of years! But if they leave the valley, they will age quickly and die. Conway realizes that the High Lama is actually Perrault, who is now 300 years old.
There is also a young-looking Manchu woman named Lo-Tsen at the lamasery. She doesn't speak English but plays the harpsichord beautifully. Both Mallinson and Conway are drawn to her.
Leaving Shangri-La
Later, the High Lama tells Conway that he is dying. He wants Conway to become the new leader of Shangri-La.
Meanwhile, Mallinson has arranged to leave the valley with Lo-Tsen. He has found people to help carry their supplies. Mallinson cannot cross the dangerous mountain path alone, so he convinces Conway to go with him. This is where Conway's story ends for his friend.
The last time Conway's friend saw him, it seemed Conway was getting ready to go back to Shangri-La. Conway's friend tried to find out more about Shangri-La. He found the doctor who had treated Conway after he left the valley. The doctor said Conway was brought in by a sick Chinese woman who soon died. The doctor said the woman was very old. Conway's friend thought this old woman was Lo-Tsen, who had aged quickly after leaving Shangri-La.
Why This Book is Important
Lost Horizon was first published in 1933. It became very popular after James Hilton's next book, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, came out in 1934.
In 1939, Lost Horizon was printed as the very first Pocket Book paperback. Because it was "Pocket Book #1," many people mistakenly think it was the first paperback book ever in America. However, another book, The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, was actually the first pocket-sized paperback sold widely in America in 1938 as a test.
Famous Connections
The book's idea of Shangri-La became very famous.
- U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt named his secret mountain hideaway in Maryland "Shangri-La." Today, this place is known as Camp David.
- During World War II, President Roosevelt joked that the Doolittle Raid (a famous air attack) came from a secret place called Shangri-La. This joke led to an aircraft carrier being named USS Shangri-La.
Movies and More
Lost Horizon has been made into movies and even a musical:
- Lost Horizon (1937), a movie directed by Frank Capra.
- Lost Horizon (1973), a musical movie directed by Charles Jarrott.
- An unsuccessful Broadway musical called Shangri-La was made in 1956.
- The novel was also turned into a three-part radio show for BBC Radio 4 in 1981, with Derek Jacobi playing Hugh Conway.
- The book is also mentioned in the novel Deadeye Dick by Kurt Vonnegut.
Images for kids
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U.S. Marine standing guard at Shangri-La (1944)
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Promotional postcard for the 1937 film
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See also
In Spanish: Horizontes perdidos para niños
