Point of View

The Prologue and Epilogue are written in the first person by a narrator named Woodford Green, who does not really have much of a part in the book except to appear skeptical and give an "everyman" point of view to the fantastic narrative of Shangri-La. The rest of the book is written in the third person by a semi-omniscient narrator. The story unfolds through the viewpoint of Hugh Conway. Other characters' motivations and emotions (particularly the lamas') are only seen through Conway's eyes. The reader is privy to Conway's thought processes and evolving view of Shangri-La. The reader experiences Mallinson, Brinklow and Bernard the way Conway sees them, as conversationalists, fellow travelers and fellow guests at the monastery. Conway is the most adaptable and open-minded character in the book and takes what people say at face value as truth.

Setting

Shangri-La is an inaccessible community in...