Samuel Butler
Samuel Butler was a Victorian-era English author who is best known for his satirical novel 'Erewhon' and his posthumously published novel 'The Way of All Flesh'. He was also a noted critic of religion and a painter.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Way of All Flesh
The novel follows the life of Ernest Pontifex, from his birth in the early 19th century until his middle age, and his struggle against the restrictive morality of Victorian England. Raised in a stiflingly oppressive household by his hypocritical clergyman father and submissive mother, Ernest eventually rebels against his upbringing, leading to his imprisonment for a minor crime. Upon his release, he rejects his past life and religious beliefs, eventually finding happiness and success as a writer. The novel provides a scathing satire of Victorian-era attitudes towards religion and family life.
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2. Erewhon
or, Over the Range
"Erewhon" is a satirical novel set in a fictional country discovered by the protagonist during his exploration. The society in this country is unusual, where illness is considered a crime, crime is treated as a disease, and machines are feared for their potential to evolve and overtake humanity. The book uses this bizarre world to critique various aspects of Victorian society, including religion, morality, and the industrial revolution.
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3. The Church In Derbyshire In 1823 4
Set against the backdrop of early 19th-century England, this historical account delves into the religious and social dynamics of Derbyshire's church community. It explores the intricate relationships between clergy and parishioners, highlighting the challenges and transformations faced by the church during this period. Through vivid descriptions and insightful observations, the narrative captures the essence of a community in transition, grappling with the broader societal changes of the time while maintaining its spiritual and cultural heritage.
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4. Erewhon And Erewhon Revisited
Over the Range
A traveler discovers a secluded nation whose customs invert familiar Victorian norms—disease is treated as crime while criminality is regarded as illness, conventional morality and religion are parodied, and social institutions are skewed to expose hypocrisy. On a later visit he encounters political upheaval and debates about progress, including a provocative essay arguing that machines might evolve consciousness and threaten human freedom, using satire of industrialism, imperialism and moral pretensions to probe the limits and dangers of unchecked “civilization.”
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