Euphoria

Based on events in the life of revolutionary anthropologist Margaret Mead, Lily King's latest novel, Euphoria, is so far my favorite book of 2015 and I believe it will remain in at least the top ten.

You may be thinking "Margaret Mead? Really? Anthropology?  I'll take a pass, thank you."  No! Stop! While an anthropological expedition into New Guinea in the 1930s provides the backdrop for this story, it is not the the focal point by any means.

Think less "anthropology" and more "menage a trois" and you are much more on point concerning this fictionalized (but inspired by Mead and her real-life husband) story of the charismatic married anthropologists Fen and Nell Stone and their volatile relationship with Andrew Bankson, an English anthropologist who has been working solo in the jungles of New Guinea. Bankson has reached a low point in his mental, emotional, and professional life as he becomes increasingly frustrated with his work involving a particularly recalcitrant tribe of New Guinea natives.

Enter the renowned, controversial Nell and her cynical, morally-shaky husband Fen into the same New Guinea jungle and stand back as both professional and personal fireworks ensue.  Nell has at that point published a highly-regarded study in the world of anthropology and Fen, still struggling to find a focus for his work, has become jealous and bitter concerning Nell's acclaimed work.  As their marriage falls apart, Bankson becomes increasingly entangled in their unhappy web.  While passions erupt and boundaries are crossed, the style of the novel is quite reined in and proper (as proper as a love triangle can be!)

As the story plays out, the background of the scientists' endeavors to embed themselves in the native villages and gain an understanding of the vastly unknown culture of tribes that were quickly becoming extinct is extremely well-done and thought-provoking.  The intellectual discussion amongst the three main characters is just as provoking as their infatuation with one another.  The title is referred to in a conversation Nell is having with Bankson regarding gaining an understanding of a native culture in which they are so desperately trying to gain a foothold:

It's a delusion-you've only been there eight weeks-and it's followed by the complete despair of ever understanding anything. But at that moment the place feels entirely yours. It's the briefest, purest euphoria.

And, given what you now know about this story, you would be correct in guessing other types of "euphoria" occasionally appear as well.  And you thought anthropology was boring!!

My rating ***