Erewhon revisited

Satire of utopian society and critical return to civilization

Samuel Butler

320 pages, parution le 05/09/2025

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Résumé

In Erewhon Revisited, Samuel Butler continues the story begun in his famous work Erewhon, offering a return both ironic and profound to the utopian society he imagined. The narrator, John Higgs, embarks on a new journey to Erewhon, a fictional land where the inhabitants have developed a unique culture and institutions, rejecting technology and embracing the absurd. This sequel explores the consequences of the first visit, revealing how the legend of the previous explorer has been integrated into local mythology, even becoming a religious cult. The narrative, driven by sharp social critique, portrays the flaws of a civilization that elevates its own myths and dogmas, while mocking human certainties about progress, religion, and reason. The author delights in inverting values and highlighting the absurdity of collective beliefs, offering a philosophical reflection on human nature and the limits of knowledge. The adventure, rich in twists, allows readers to observe the transformation of Erewhon, as well as the reaction of its inhabitants to an unexpected return. This novel, at the crossroads of satire, science fiction, and philosophy, questions the notion of civilization and the persistence of myths. It appeals both to fans of travel stories and to readers curious to explore alternative societies and reflect on the place of the individual in a world in perpetual search of meaning. Butlers style, both elegant and biting, makes this book a must-read for anyone interested in the critique of institutions and the deconstruction of received ideas.