Niels Klim's Journey Under the Ground: Being a Narrative of His Wonderful Descent to the Subterranean Lands; Together with an Account of the Sensible Animals and Trees Inhabiting the Planet Nazar and the Firmament.

A satirical novel written in the early 18th century. The book follows the adventures of Niels Klim, a young man who descends into a subterranean world called Nazar, where he encounters a variety of strange creatures, including sentient trees and peculiar animals. Through his journey, Klim explores themes of societal norms, philosophy, and human nature, while also providing commentary on contemporary attitudes and behaviors. At the start of the narrative, Niels Klim prepares for an expedition into a cave in Bergen, Norway, driven by both curiosity and the encouragement of learned men. He descends into the abyss, unexpectedly finds himself in an extraordinary world where the laws of nature are bent, and discovers that the inhabitants, including speaking trees and various sentient animals, have their own customs and social structures. As he navigates this new and bizarre environment, Klim's perceptions are challenged, leading to comedic yet thought-provoking exchanges about virtue, vice, and the absurdities of both his and the inhabitants' societies.