Lily king spoke with me just before the publication of euphoria about the genesis of the novel, and how its gripping inventions relate to the lives of the woman and men who inspired the book. Her 2014 novel euphoria won the kirkus award, the new england book award, the maine fiction award, and was a finalist for the national book critics award. The following is an edited transcript of our conversation. Novelist and yarmouth resident lily kings fourth book, published in june by atlantic monthly press, is a fictionalized account of a period in the life of a renowned anthropologist very much like margaret mead. Lily kings first three novels are rooted in the culture of late 20th century england. That s how the main character, nell stone, defines it, and why she strives so hard in her study of the tribes of papua new guinea. Joan frank is the author of five books of fiction and a book of collected. 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.
Set in the mid1930s, euphoria is the story of a love triangle in which the three participants interact on a variety of levels emotional, intellectual, romantic, and sexual. Lily king personal site lily king is an american novelist who studied at both the university of north carolina and the syracuse university. King takes liberties with actual events, which is where the dark suspense. Lily kings euphoria heading to the screen the washington post. King bases her story on events in the life of revolutionary anthropologist, margaret mead. Euphoria by lily king the colourful love life of margaret mead. By the end of euphoria, this reader sighed with wistful satisfaction, wishing the book would go on. Fortune and gregory batesonneither a slouch in his own right. Drafts of euphoria are stacked in descending towers along one wall, each draft a stairstep lower. Lily kings new novel was inspired by a reallife moment in 1933, when the lives of anthropologist margaret mead and two of her husbands.
Euphoria brings together two intersecting road stories about the same person a little girl called lily who is taken away from home by her mother celeste, and a young woman, michelle, who journeys home to unravel the truth about her mysterious past. Her 2014 novel euphoria is a finalist for the national book critics circle award in fiction, which is. Euphoria the feeling you get in that moment when, having spent some time studying something important, you really feel you have nailed it. Lily kings euphoria, a fictionalised account of a brief period of field work along new guineas sepik river in 1933, does not set out to redeem.
I picture lily king in her office, surrounded by a librarys worth of research materials. This detailed literature summary also contains quotes and a free quiz on euphoria by lily king. In euphoria, the novelist lily king has taken the known details of that occasion a 1933 field trip to the sepik river, in new guinea, during which mead and her second husband, reo. Kings fourth novel, euphoria 2014, was inspired by events in the life of anthropologist margaret mead. Its a compelling story with fascinating characters. With euphoria, lily king gives us a searing and absolutely mesmerizing glimpse into 1930s new guinea, a world as savage and fascinating as conrads heart of darkness, where obsessions rise to a feverish pitch, and three dangerously entangled anthropologists will never be the same again. Her just released novel, euphoria inspired by the life of anthropologist margaret mead is heading to the silver screen. Euphoria, a novel based on margaret mead, by lily king. She has taught english and creative writing at several universities and high schools. Euphoria, her latest work, strikes out in a very different direction, set in new guinea in the 1930s. Euphoria is the story of three anthropologists whose work has echoes of that done in new guinea in. Lily king on margaret mead, the inspiration for her novel. About the author 2014 lily king is an awardwinning american novelist.
I picture a writer chipping away at her words, like a sculptor to marble, until the true work reveals itself. Suspense along the sepik with the young scientists of. From new england book award winner lily king comes a breathtaking novel about three young anthropologists of the. Lilys new novel, euphoria, was released in june 2014. She was the recipient of the raymond carver prize for fiction, the 2000 whiting writersaward, and is a macdowell colony fellow. Handoutatlantic monthly king keeps us mostly in the mind of this gentleman determined not to betray his romantic attraction, and the story that develops reflects. National bestselling and awardwinning author lily kings new novel is the story of three young, gifted anthropologists in the 1930s caught in a. In euphoria, the novelist lily king has taken the known details of that occasion a 1933 field trip to the sepik river, in new guinea, during which mead and her second husband, reo fortune. Euphoria by lily king 20nov2014 hardcover unknown binding. Suspense along the sepik with the young scientists of euphoria. Euphoria by lily king is a fascinating novel about three anthropologists studying native tribes in papua new guinea in the 1930s.
By clicking notify me you consent to receiving electronic marketing communications from. National bestselling and awardwinning author lily king s new novel is the story of three young, gifted anthropologists in the 1930s caught in a passionate love triangle that threatens their bonds. Euphoric disambiguation this disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title euphoria. Euphoria by lily king book club discussion questions. This is a work of fiction, drawn very loosely from the experience of three anthropologists, margaret mead, gregory bateson, and reo fortune, who worked together for a. See more ideas about home beauty tips, health tips and natural health. Lily king is the author of five awardwinning novels. Set against the lush tropical landscape of 1930s new guinea, this novel charts british anthropologist andrew banksons fascination for colleagues nell stone and her husband, fen, a fascination that turns deadly. But euphoria, lily kings fourth novel, offers a brilliant reimagining of meads pioneering exploits. Lily king grew up in massachusetts and received her b. Euphoria is a meticulously researched homage to meads restless mind and a considered portrait of western anthropology in its primitivist. American nell stone and her australian husband, fen, have decided to leave the territory of new guinea, abandoning their study of an uncooperative and violent tribe, when they meet andrew bankson the night before. Lily kings euphoria, a fictionalised account of a brief period of field work along new guineas sepik river in 1933, does not set out to redeem meads reputation, but its humanising.
Yarmouth writer lily king nominated for prestigious book award. With brooke palsson, sarah constible, taya ayotte bourns, adriana oneil. Euphoria takes place in the new guinea jungle in the 1930s. Lily king s euphoria, a shortish novel based on a period in the life of pioneering anthropologist margaret mead, is an exception. Enter your email below to be notified as soon as it is available. Euphoria is a breathtaking novel about three anthropologists caught in a passionate and dangerous love triangle in 1930s new guinea this is a damn good book. By margot livesey globe correspondent, june 7, 2014, 6. In euphoria, lily kings intoxicating trek into this exotic locale, three anthropologists australian, american and british find themselves far from.
She wrote numerous novels including the pleasing hour, the english teacher, and father of the rain. In euphoria, lily king takes the person of margaret mead and at the same time, it fits perfectly into my month of reading books from and about new guinea, so the bookish universe must have known i needed to wait. Euphoria would have done better to confront and embrace the challenge of an agnostic argument for euthanasia, and there is certainly one to make. If the movie plans proceed as hoped, euphoria will be the first of kings novels to. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Yarmouth writer lily king has been nominated for another major national book award. Lily king has every reason to feel euphoric this month. After euphoria 2014, a richly researched and imagined tragic love triangle inspired by anthropologist margaret meads life, king returns to her comfort zone. Watson institute for international and public affairs 7,170 views 1. Suspense along the sepik with the young scientists of euphoria lily kings new novel was inspired by a reallife moment in 1933, when the lives of.
If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. With zendaya, maude apatow, angus cloud, eric dane. Suspense along the sepik with the young scientists of euphoria june 5, 2014 lily kings new novel was inspired by a reallife moment in 1933, when the lives of anthropologist margaret mead. The last time margaret mead appeared as a character in a bestselling novel was over fifty years ago. She has taught english and creative writing at several universities and high schools in this country and abroad. Euphoria is lily king s nationally bestselling breakout novel of three young, gifted anthropologists of the 30s caught in a passionate love triangle that threatens their bonds, their careers, and, ultimately, their lives. 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. At its center is a romantic triangle, and it tells a story that begs to be consumed in one or two luxurious binges. A look at life for a group of high school students as they grapple with issues of drugs, sex and violence.
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