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Euphoria

A Novel

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Euphoria

By: Lily King
Narrated by: Simon Vance, Xe Sands
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About this listen

From New England Book Award winner Lily King comes a breathtaking novel about three young anthropologists of the '30s caught in a passionate love triangle that threatens their bonds, their careers, and ultimately, their lives.

English anthropologist Andrew Bankson has been alone in the field for several years, studying the Kiona river tribe in the territory of New Guinea. Haunted by the memory of his brothers' deaths and increasingly frustrated and isolated by his research, Bankson is on the verge of suicide when a chance encounter with colleagues, the controversial Nell Stone and her wry and mercurial Australian husband, Fen, pulls him back from the brink. Nell and Fen have just fled the bloodthirsty Mumbanyo and, in spite of Nell's poor health, are hungry for a new discovery. When Bankson finds them a new tribe nearby - the artistic, female-dominated Tam - he ignites an intellectual and romantic firestorm between the three of them that burns out of anyone's control.

Set between two World Wars and inspired by events in the life of revolutionary anthropologist Margaret Mead, Euphoria is an enthralling story of passion, possession, exploration, and sacrifice fromaccomplished author Lily King.

©2014 Lily King (P)2014 Blackstone Audiobooks Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction

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Critic reviews

  • Audie Award, Literary Fiction, 2015
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Such an interesting & absorbing story. I needed to listen to something which would take me far far away from my life. The unfolding strange drama in an unfamiliar place was compelling.

Incredible

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I found this book well paced, intriguing and certainly easy to follow, despite some other reviews saying it’s not. The environment is vividly depicted, the characters are fascinating, with the villain of the piece particularly heinous and the ultimate fate of another protagonist (no spoilers) a sad reminder of the fact that cruelty and monstrous behaviour exists at all levels of human interaction, even among so-called “civilised” people, who in this case use their privilege to judge others.

Unusual and engaging

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Beautifully written with an engaging love story and nuanced characters. I found it difficult that the main characters see them selves as better than their contemporaries but still using their privilege to barge their way in to local people's lives. The book doesn't try and rewrite history by pretending that anthropologists of that time were more enlightened than they actually were. But I think it could have done more to give 'the natives' voices and personhood. It is the sort of book you could discuss for hours.

Thought provoking

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I wasn't sure about the subject matter of this book to start with but it proved to be an excellent novel. I shall look into the author's research..to find out how the subject occurred.
Well written and well read by the narrators.
I was sad when it ended, because I invested in the characters so much.
A new writer for me, but will read more of her work.

Excellent

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A poignant use of snippets of real history weaved into a heartbreaking story. Loved it!

Delicious Read!

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the plot, loosely based on the life of anthropologist Margaret Mead, is set over a few months or less. in New Guinea three anthropologists live in two tribes they are studying. story of their relationships is told with restraint and sort of mental lassitude, but communicates raw and passionate emotions. everything of modern life is stripped away and the researchers are surrounded only by essential possessions and alone with most fundamental emotions. the characters (one Australian, one American, one Brit) all felt quite real to this English woman. it was one of new York times 10 best books of 2014. well read by US woman and UK man.

Wonderful, delicately told story

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the story was well read but i struggled to remain interested. I persevered with it.

I persevered with it

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This hit the right note for me. It is a wonderfully researched history of science, evoking the early anthropologists exploring the new world, and discovering new tribes. Yes, it has a romantic element, but it lacks cliche. It has the same restraint that is so typical of people of that era, and therefore is never soppy.

I particularly liked the gent who narrated Bankson. Although he sounded older than Bankson's thirty years, he brought a gravitas that I enjoyed.

All in all, thoroughly diverting and enjoyable.

Not a soppy romance

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Phenomenal writing. I really enjoyed the first chapter and loved the whole book quickly thereafter. I recommend it to everyone I meet.

A new classic!

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The narration was excellent and captured the mood of the story perfectly.
Well paced and thought provoking.

Fascinating and emotive

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