Erewhon; Or, Over the Range by Samuel Butler
Higgs is a young man of twenty-two and works on a sheep farm. While on the plains grazing sheep, he often gazes at the distant mountains and wonders about the land beyond their towering peaks. He talks about it with an old native named Chowbok, who informs him that it is forbidden to visit the land. As Higgs presses him on the matter, Chowbok assumes a bizarre posture and begins uttering otherworldly screams. This piques Higgs' curiosity and convinces Chowbok to take a trip with him to the mountains.
They set out on the journey but find that they are unable to locate a passage through the mountains. One day, while wandering alone, Higgs discovers a small valley and realizes it leads through the mountains. He is forced to climb treacherous peaks and cross a river by a raft of reeds. He is rewarded with the sight of beautiful rolling plains. He goes on exploration, passing strange statues of men that make a howling sound as the wind swirls around them.
Tired of his arduous journey, Higgs decides to take a break. The next morning, he wakes up with two girls grazing a flock of goats around him. When the girls notice Higgs, they run away and take others to examine him. Higgs finally manages to convince them that he is human and they take him to a small town nearby. They search his clothes and confiscate his watch. The strange men are particularly concerned about Higgs' health, allowing him to leave only after undergoing a thorough medical examination. They decide to put Higgs in jail.
While imprisoned, Higgs begins to learn the language and bizarre customs of the country, which he learns is called Erewhon. In this country, disease is considered a crime and the sick are thrown into jail, while criminals are treated sympathetically and provided with hospital care.
Higgs is called to appear before the king and queen, where he learns that he will be staying with a man named Nosnibor. Higgs goes to stay with the man in the capital and makes many trips to the court. People are attracted to him because of his blond hair, a rarity in Erewhon. Here he immerses himself even more in the history and customs of the country. He learns that 2,500 years earlier a prophet had said it was illegal to eat meat, as man should not kill other living creatures. For several hundred years later, the Erewhonians were vegetarians. Two hundred years earlier, a scientist had come up with the idea that machines had feelings, and then all the machines were demolished.
Higgs learns of the country's religion from Arowhena, one of Nosnibor's daughters. She is a beautiful girl and they fall in love. Nosnibor will not grant a marriage between the two until the eldest daughter is married, which causes a conflict between him and Higgs, who finds lodging elsewhere.
Higgs prepares for the trip and sneaks Arowhena aboard the balloon with him. Everything goes as planned and the couple soon find themselves in the air, adrift right above the mountain range. The balloon settles on the sea and Higgs and Arowhena are picked up by a passing ship.
They return to England and get married. Higgs attempts to organize an expedition back to Erewhon. However, he discovers that no one will listen as he tries to explain the bizarre forbidden land. The missionaries are the only ones who pay attention to him. Then suddenly, Chowbok, Higgs' native friend, shows up in England to teach religion, and his appearance helps Higgs convince people that Erewhon really exists. Higgs hopes to return to the country soon to spread the teachings of Christianity to the Erewhonians.
