Icosameron

Icosameron is an 1788 utopian science fiction novel that follows siblings Eduard and Elisabeth after they fall through the Earth's crust into an underground world. The narrative spans 80 days in this subterranean realm inhabited by a race of small humanoids called the Megamicres. The story combines elements of philosophical discourse, scientific speculation, and social commentary as the protagonists learn about and interact with this advanced civilization. Through detailed descriptions of Megamicre culture, technology, and customs, Casanova presents an alternative vision of human society. The 1,800-page work represents one of the earliest examples of hollow Earth fiction in European literature. Casanova wrote it in French during his later years while working as a librarian in Bohemia. The novel explores themes of enlightenment ideals, human nature, and social organization through its portrayal of an isolated underground civilization. Its blend of scientific theory with social philosophy reflects key intellectual currents of 18th century Europe.

There are very few reader reviews available for Icosameron online, likely due to its rarity and limited English translations. The book has no ratings on Goodreads or Amazon. The few readers who have discussed it online note its length (5 volumes, approximately 1,800 pages) as a barrier. Some describe it as a challenging mix of science fiction, philosophy and social commentary. Italian literature scholar Federico Andahazi called it "bizarre and meandering" in his review blog, while praising its imaginative underwater civilization concept. Common criticisms: - Excessive philosophical digressions - Dense writing style - Lack of narrative focus - Poor pacing There are no aggregated review scores available from major book platforms. The work remains largely unreviewed by modern readers, with most discussion appearing in academic papers analyzing Casanova's lesser-known writings rather than consumer reviews.

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The Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne A scientific expedition leads to the discovery of subterranean worlds with prehistoric creatures and unexpected civilizations.

The Coming Race by Edward Bulwer-Lytton The narrative presents an underground civilization with advanced technology and social structures that challenge surface-world assumptions.

Micromegas by Voltaire Two giants from different planets visit Earth and engage with human civilization while exploring philosophical questions about existence.

The Description of a New World, Called The Blazing-World by Margaret Cavendish A woman travels through a portal to a parallel world filled with hybrid creatures and becomes empress of a complex society.

🔖 Though best known for his romantic adventures, Casanova wrote Icosameron during a period working as a librarian in Bohemia, publishing it at his own expense in 1788 🔖 The novel spans 5 volumes and nearly 1,800 pages, making it one of Casanova's most ambitious literary works 🔖 Icosameron follows English siblings who spend 81 years in an underground utopian society inside the Earth's core, blending elements of science fiction with philosophical discourse 🔖 The book's title comes from Greek: "eikosi" (twenty) and "hemera" (day), referring to the protagonists' twenty-day journey through the Earth to reach the subterranean world 🔖 Casanova wrote the novel in French rather than his native Italian, and it contains extensive discussions of chemistry, physics, and theology alongside its fictional narrative