62 pages • 2 hours read
Erewhon
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
272
Novel • Fiction
Erewhon • 19th Century
1872
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Samuel Butler's Erewhon, an unnamed narrator explores a fictional country after leaving his job at a New Zealand sheep station, discovering that Erewhon’s laws and customs starkly contrast with Victorian England’s. The narrator is imprisoned and eventually escapes with an Erewhonian woman named Arowhena, returning to England with plans for a future expedition. The book includes depictions of prejudice and discrimination.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
4,410 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Samuel Butler's Erewhon offers a satirical and thought-provoking critique of Victorian society, applauded for its wit and imaginative setting. However, some readers find its pacing uneven and its philosophical passages dense. Overall, it remains a compelling, if sometimes challenging, exploration of moral and social themes.
Who Should Read Erewhon?
A reader who would enjoy Erewhon by Samuel Butler is likely someone interested in satirical novels that critique societal norms and explore utopian concepts. Fans of Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley would appreciate Butler's imaginative and philosophical narrative that challenges the status quo.
4,410 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Arowhena
Arowhena
An attractive and hardworking Erewhonian woman who is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nosnibor. Her relationship with the narrator serves as a bridge between Erewhonian customs and the visitor’s perspective.
Chowbok
Chowbok
The Indigenous guide who accompanies the narrator to Erewhon, illustrating a cultural contrast through his actions and limited communications. He provides a glimpse into native perspectives as defined by his encounters with the narrator.
Mr. and Mrs. Nosnibor
Mr. and Mrs. Nosnibor
A wealthy Erewhonian couple who host the narrator upon his arrival, with Mr. Nosnibor undergoing treatment for embezzlement. They introduce the narrator to local customs and social dynamics.
272
Novel • Fiction
Erewhon • 19th Century
1872
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.