Erewhon, or, over the Range

Set in the fictional country of Erewhon, this novel explores a seemingly utopian society where money is prestigious yet powerless, and machines are banned for their danger to humanity. As the protagonist navigates this world, he discovers deep-seated religious hypocrisy and societal flaws, where disease leads to imprisonment and crime is viewed as an illness. Butler's work, a precursor to themes of DNA testing and artificial intelligence, offers a satirical critique of society, influencing notable writers and featuring an expanded edition alongside a key article on machine consciousness.