Lost Horizon characters

Appears from the start

A novelist and former Oxford contemporary of Hugh Conway who reconstructs Conway's extraordinary disappearance from documents and conversations. His account frames the central story and reflects his determination to discover what became of his friend after the official trail ended.

Appears from the start

A British diplomat in his late thirties, experienced, gifted with languages, and marked by exhaustion after supervising an evacuation during unrest at Baskul. Calm under danger and inclined toward detached reflection, he becomes the natural leader of four passengers whose aircraft is taken far off course.

Appears from the start

A young British vice-consul evacuated from Baskul with Conway. Energetic, conventional, and impatient with uncertainty, he looks to Conway for leadership but presses for direct action when their flight is diverted. His desire to return to familiar life contrasts with Conway's unusual composure.

Appears from the start

An English missionary traveling from Baskul. Resolute and practical, she interprets the group's unexpected journey as a possible opportunity for religious work and is less disturbed by their isolation than Mallinson expects.

Appears from the start

An American passenger evacuated with Conway's party. Affable and adaptable, he presents himself as a businessman and responds to the group's predicament with curiosity rather than panic. His relaxed manner helps him settle quickly into unfamiliar surroundings.

Appears from the start

The pilot who has replaced the expected aviator without the passengers' knowledge. He refuses to explain himself and flies the aircraft far from its planned route, carrying Conway's party deep into increasingly remote mountain country.

First appears in chapter 3

A courteous Chinese resident of Shangri-La who meets the stranded travelers and guides them to the lamasery. Educated, patient, and difficult to hurry, he acts as the community's interpreter and intermediary while offering few immediate answers about why the travelers were brought there.

First appears in chapter 5

A young Manchu woman living at Shangri-La, accomplished in music and possessed of a quiet, self-contained manner. Conway is drawn to her serenity, while Mallinson sees in her another person who should be free to leave the valley.

First appears in chapter 7

The ancient spiritual head of Shangri-La, living in secluded rooms above the lamasery. Frail in body but intellectually alert, he asks to meet Conway privately and begins explaining the hidden settlement's history, purpose, and exceptional relationship with time.