I just did a quick read of Lost Horizon by James Hilton.

If anyone knows and likes the book and could give me some elucidation, I would be most grateful.

My 15-year-old was just assigned the book in school. So I read it to be helpful when she needs to write about the book.

I read it in an unfriendly mood because I know that it was assigned as something boys would like. We suffered all through Middle School reading "boys' books." Old Yeller was the worst.

The action takes place between the wars, and the protagonist, Conway, is drawn to Shangri-La by way of escaping the impending doom of WWII.

Is the invention of Shangri-La a happy thing, a necessary refuge for the sane? Or it is an escapist's cowardly retreat?

Either one is possible; most people who believe in Shangri-La, however, seem to me to be escapist. I spoze that can be turned around to indicate that's what Heaven is for, for the God-believer, huh?