Erewhon - (Mint Editions (Humorous and Satirical Narratives)) by Samuel Butler

About the Book

"In Erewhon, an anagram for "nowhere," sickness is a punishable crime, criminals receive compassionate medical treatment, and machines are banned, lest they evolve and take over. Originally published in 1872, this proto-steampunk novel offers entertaining, provocative satires of the family, church, and mechanical progress. The Dover edition includes the sequel, Erewhon Revisited"--

Book Synopsis

Erewhon, an anagram for "nowhere," is a faraway land where citizens follow a unique set of rules disregarding conventional beliefs about money, health and science. Beneath the surface, Erewhon is fueled by hypocrisy and inhabitants are riddled with fear.

A traveler stumbles across a remote country that appears to be a peaceful paradise. It's a utopian society that doesn't use or value money in a traditional way. Criminals are considered sick and treated as patients, while the ill are imprisoned and labeled as criminals. There's also an overwhelming distrust of machines, which are outlawed due to their potential to evolve and overthrow their masters. Erewhon's superficial qualities grow to become a source of contempt and distrust.

Erewhon illustrates a world where an attempt to correct the ills of society causes more harm than good. It's a profound examination of Victorian ethics, benefiting a minority over the majority. Butler's groundbreaking novel has significantly influenced multiple writers in literature and beyond.

With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Erewhon is both modern and readable.

Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.

With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

From the Back Cover

An explorer discovers a utopian society with unconventional views on crime, illness, and religion. Erewhon, by Samuel Butler, is loosely inspired by his personal experience in New Zealand where he worked as a sheep farmer. The novel is a brilliant satire of Victorian society as a rigid and failing institution.