Conway = James Bond (Janets Post)

Conway reminds me of James Bond. He is cool and collected in all situations. The description of Conway as being “something a bit Philip-Sidneyish” refers to a famous man of the English Renaissance who was a very versatile man—famous as a swordsman, as a poet, and as a diplomat; ultimately he was outstanding at anything that he attempted. It is always fun to have an invincible hero.

The plane being stolen by an Asian person was an embarrassment to the British government. They covered it up and didn’t even release the names of the missing people.

Qui impossibile est translated is “I believe because it is impossible.” The story is so incredible that no one would or could have made it up. Sort of like the Joseph Smith story. Joseph once said that he didn’t blame anyone for not believing him. If he hadn’t experienced it first hand, he wouldn’t have believed it himself.

Glory

What a nick name. I am very struck by the universally appealing nature of Conway’s character. Just think of a person who is so compelling everyone who meets him, even briefly, “remember[s] him afterwards with great vividness.”[1] And yet, like Heidi pointed out, his disappearance was generally unnoticed. It makes me think about people who have had a profound impact on my life, people who at certain times have been such vivid characters; but now their disappearance goes generally unnoticed. Teachers, friends, mission companions, their influence has impacted me greatly, but it isn’t until I stop and reflect for a moment I even remember them or notice their absence from my every day life.

I wonder what it is about Conway that makes him so “glorious.” Is it simply because he is so "good looking" or because he "excels at games" and "wins prizes"? I hope it goes a little deeper and is manifest in less superficial ways like the kindness he showed the narrator even though he didn’t know him very well. Also, I do find it interesting that he is so educated and well versed in several different languages, perhaps that is part of his appeal.

So far, I can’t say that I am all that impressed with his character and am hoping for more insight into his personality. I found it interesting that when faced with a crisis, the high jacking of his plane, his solution was to sleep. Further, despite the fact that others see him as a hero, he does not consider himself to be very brave. Does this reflect the idea that most people can't see themselves as they are; or does Conway have everyone tricked and he really does know the truth about himself?

Also, I find it interesting we are asked to believe this story because quia impossibile est [2][3]. Does anyone have any thoughts on this idea?

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[1]All the quotes and facts in the first two paragraphs are taken from page seven of my copy of the book. The third paragraph references ideas that are generally found on page twenty-three of my copy of the book.

[2]It is certain because it is impossible

[3]A quote from Tertullian, a major theologian in the early Christian church, known for his powerful denunciations of many influences he considered heretical, including the widespread admiration of pagan philosophers and many Gnostic ideas, yet in later life a Montanist, and thus he himself an embracer of beliefs that came to be declared heretical. He introduced the term Trinity to the Christian vocabulary and also the terms vetus testamentum ("old testament") and novum testamentum ("new testament").

Heidi's Post

So far i am enjoying this book. I find it interesting that a plane and four people can disappear and go unnoticed by much of the world, and those who do have some account of it it have inaccurate information. The fact that the passengers are just "thought" to be dead when at least one of them, we are finding, is alive is remarkable to me. It makes me wonder what cover ups we are faced with everyday.
I look forward to seeing what story unfolds at the monastery and thereafter.

James Hilton

The Wetterhorn above Grindelwald

Thanks for the photo mom!

Lost Horizon Fun Facts:

Shangri-La has become a byword for a mythical utopia--a permanently happy land, isolated from the world.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt named the Presidential hideaway in Maryland after Shangri-La. (It has since been renamed Camp David.)

Lost Horizon has been made into two films and served as the basis for a Broadway musical.

Zhongdian, a mountain region of southwest China, has now been renamed Shangri-La (Xianggelila), based on its claim to have inspired Hilton's book.

Shangri-La is referenced in various songs including songs by Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Billy Idol, Stevie Nicks, AC/DC, a duet by Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby, and Motley Crue.

The United States navy named one of its aircraft carriers USS Shangri-La.

Because of its position as Number One in what became a very long list of Pocket editions, Lost Horizon is often cited as the first American paperback book, which is not correct.

Library!

I love the Boise library because it has an exclamation point in the name. Head on over to your library! and pick up a copy of Lost Horizon. Please e-mail me with any questions. Also, encourage others to join our family book club.