What is erewhon?

Erewhon is a novel written by Samuel Butler and published in 1872. It is a satirical work that presents a fictional alternative society called Erewhon, which is similar to Victorian England but with some notable differences. For example, in Erewhon, sickness and disease are considered crimes, and anyone who is ill is immediately sent to prison. Similarly, machines are considered to be alive and have rights, while humans who create them are seen as inferior. The book is known for its criticism of Victorian society's reliance on machines and the growing emphasis on science and technology over spirituality and religion. It is also recognized as a precursor to dystopian literature, which became popular in the 20th century.