We read this in the English Book Club, where it was much appreciated. I especially enjoy the image of Shangri-La, which is now imprinted on my own personal "inner map of the world" :) I also find it interesting to look at this book's place in history. It was written in 1933, before fantasy or science fiction became popular, before anyone was thinking about ecology or the potential of destroying the planet, and before Buddhism became stylish! One of my friends visited Li Jiang in the Chinese province of Yunnan, which is said to be the inspiration for Shangri-La. She brought me back a good luck charm from there, which I keep on my mobile phone to remind me of that wonderful hidden sanctuary.