Euphoria

Lily King is the author of Euphoria, an historical fiction novel inspired by Margaret Mead. In this story three anthropologists meet in New Guinea. In 1933 the three anthropologists meet at the village where Andrew Bankson is working. Nell Stone is a talented anthropologist who has published a book that draws much attention. Her husband, Fen, is aggressive and intelligent. Andrew helps them find another village to study up stream from him. He hopes to keep them close because he is lonely without any other English speakers around. Nell and Fen don't like the places close by so he takes them further away. At the village Nell gets to work learning the language and the names of the children and women. Fen hangs out with the men but he won't share what he has learned with her. She types up her notes and is working hard. Fen helps the men construct a dugout canoe. Andrew comes to visit. Andrew shares what he learns with Nell. With the three of them talking they come up with some bright ideas. Soon jealousy comes into the picture and the situation gets out of control. This was an interesting story to read. I can't imagine being an anthropologist and having to learn new languages every time you move.