The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World
The Blazing World, first published in 1666 alongside her Observations upon Experimental Philosophy, is Margaret Cavendish's prose romance of another world. A young lady, carried off by a merchant who loves her, is blown by storms to the North Pole, passes into a world joined to ours, and becomes Empress of a realm peopled by bear-men, fox-men, bird-men and other hybrid creatures who serve as its scientists and philosophers. She questions them about nature, summons the soul of the Duchess of Newcastle herself as her scribe, and in the second part leads a fleet back to help her native country at war. Playful, philosophical and self-aware, it is often counted among the earliest works of science fiction. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the opening pages free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World
The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World by Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World online?
Yes. The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World in the public domain?
Yes. The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World by Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World?
About 2 h 43 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World?
The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World by Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle is filed under "Science Fiction & Fantasy" in the Vinteuil library.
