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Euphoria
by Lily King

Published: 2014-06-03
Hardcover : 256 pages
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Recommended to book clubs by 7 of 7 members
From New England Book Award winner Lily King comes a breathtaking novel about three young anthropologists of the ?30’s 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 ...
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Introduction

From New England Book Award winner Lily King comes a breathtaking novel about three young anthropologists of the ?30’s 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 from accomplished author Lily King.

Editorial Review

An Amazon Best Book of the Month, June 2014: If I tell you that Euphoria is a novel loosely based on the life of the anthropologist Margaret Mead, your eyes will start to glaze over. Well, they shouldnâ??t--not when the novel is as wonderful as this one. Its both romantic and intelligent, a combination you donâ??t need to be a scientist to know doesnâ??t appear often in nature. Mead, a controversial character in real life, is here transmuted into the equally complex (and somewhat sickly) Nell Stone, who has made a reputation for herself by studying native tribes in New Guinea. Her husband, also an anthropologist, is more jealous than dutiful, although he does manage to make her feel inadequate for failing to produce a baby. Enter a charming-but-tortured third anthropologist, who at times seems to be unsure to which of his new friends heâ??s more attracted. Sparks of the emotional and sexual kind fly, but whatâ??s even more interesting is the portrait of a growing friendship based at least partly on philosophy and attitudes toward â??primitiveâ?? cultures. You know from the beginning that some bad things are going to happen, but it is to Kingâ??s great credit (and the fact that she changes some of the events in Meadâ??s life) that you canâ??t really guess what they are. This is the best kind of historical novel--the kind that sent me running to read more about its real-life inspiration. --Sara Nelson

Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Would you consider your relationships to be like Wine or like Bread?
Did you notice the subtle clues about Fen and Nell's relationship and the hints that led to the ending?
Did the ending surprise you?
by ccroft78248 (see profile) 12/11/16

Which character changed the most?
by Kwizgiver (see profile) 10/16/15

Go to website for Readers' Guide. & Discussion Questions
by snordel (see profile) 08/19/15

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by Susan W. (see profile) 03/27/21

 
by Catherine P. (see profile) 03/18/20

 
by Susan B. (see profile) 11/14/18

 
by Ronda H. (see profile) 09/12/18

I found the beginning slow, but the end was worth every bit of the slow beginning.

 
by Alison H. (see profile) 07/27/18

 
by Barbara D. (see profile) 02/12/18

 
by Heidi S. (see profile) 08/17/17

 
by Sue W. (see profile) 06/19/17

 
  "Euphoria"by Julie W. (see profile) 06/19/17

Interesting book, found the setting and background fascinating, wasn't particularly fond of the characters though. Good descriptions about tribes, locations, types of rituals and general information on... (read more)

 
by Rella W. (see profile) 05/08/17

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