Utopia: true peace or true freedom? “Lost Horizons” by James Hilton tells the story of a random group of characters who find themselves stranded in a strange lamasery. Situated in the middle of the Himalayan mountains, this place called Shangri-la seems to have strange effects on anyone residing in the valley (Zurich). These individuals, their reactions and this new utopia are the basis of a story that begs the question, if given the chance, who would choose to live in a place like Shangri-la? The book is written as a story within a story. He begins by explaining how the story of Shangri-La became known. At a dinner party between three old friends, a neurologist, a secretary named Wyland, and a novelist named Rutherford, the story of Hugh Conway and Shangri-la becomes the topic of conversation. Rutherford reveals that he met Conway after his time in Shangri-la and had written down what he knew of the story. He then gives his manuscript to the neurologist, who becomes the anonymous narrator. The story centers on Hugh Conway, a British diplomat and World War I veteran. Conway and his assistant Mallinson are forced to evacuate India due to impending war. Conway and Mallinson board a plane which they believe will take them to Peshawar. The plane also carries a British missionary named Miss Brinklow and an American named Barnard. Several hours after leaving India, they realize that the plane has been hijacked and the pilot refuses to tell them where they are going or why. Only after the plane crashes somewhere in what they assume is Tibet does the pilot finally speak, ordering the group to find Shangri-la. After a night on the plane, a group from the lamasery leads the stranded group through the mountains...... middle of paper...... would ultimately be the only deciding factor. Those who identify with Conway's academics, Miss Brinklow's orthodoxies, or Bryant's intentions for personal gain would most likely do well in a place like Shangri-La. For those who are more like Mallinson and prefer personal freedom to isolated restraint would certainly abandon a utopia and join the modern world. Works Cited Stableford, Brian. “James Hilton: Overview. » Reference guide to short fiction. Ed. Noelle Detroit: St. James Press, 1994. Literary Resource Center. Internet. May 2, 2011. Stewart, Jule. "Lost Horizon". Geographic (Campion Interactive Publishing) 77.7 (2005): 88. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. Internet. May 2, 2011. Zurich, David. “Shangri La on the borders of Tibet.” American Geographical Society Geography Focus 52.2 (2009): 14-22. Elite academic research. EBSCO. Internet. May 2 2011.