Euphoria by Lily King

I picked up this book at the library because it was named one of the New York Times best works of fiction of 2015, but I knew nothing else about it until after I read it.  So I did not realize that it is a work of historical fiction about Margaret Mead, her first husband, and her subsequent husband.

The threesome are anthropologists in the field in New Guinea.  Nell (who is Mead) and her husband Fen (who is Reo Fortune) come to join Bangston (who keeps his real name).  Bangston has been living amongst a tribe for 18 months when they arrive, and while he has learned the language, managed to not get killed, and has some friends among the natives, he really doesn't have a clue about the whole culture is about.  Nell and Fen have abruptly left the village they were studying when they felt that they might be on the menu soon, and settle into a nearby village with Bangston's help.  It is immediately apparent that Nell and Bangston are much better partners than Bangston is alone and Nell is with Fen. It is also apparent that there is a love triangle developing and the ever violent and jealous Fen is unlikely to come off well.  It is brilliantly written and a wonderful read.