2. Lost Horizon Background and information

3. This novel offers us the chance to at least consider a completely different way of viewing the world. It affords us the opportunity to open our minds to new perspectives and to consider the possibility that truth lies in that which we heretofore believed to be counter- intuitive.

4. James Hilton James Hilton - Author, 1900 – 1954, Born in Leigh, England Son ofJohn Hilton -headmaster of Chapel End School in Walthamstow Catherine Herself – Published by Hilton at Age 20 – based on father Lost Horizon - Published 1933 – First Paperback?? – Probably Not 1942 – Academy Award for Mrs. Miniver Screenplay Died in Long Beach California

5. Shangri - La Tibetan Utopian Society Deep in the Himalayas Beautiful valley run by Lamasery Joseph Rock – wrote articles about traveling in Tibet – Inspired Hilton President Franklin D. Roosevelt – named travel retreat “Shangri – La” – now Camp David

7. Key Themes Wisdom – “the exhaustion of passions” Desire – Letting go of one’s emotional desires leads to peacefulness and bliss World Self-Destruction - paradise and wisdom can offer refuge and perhaps salvation Imagination – opening oneself to the possibilities beyond our understanding Providence – what hand does fate play in our lives and our existence?