A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder

The narrative begins with a group of friends aboard a yacht, the Falcon, which is becalmed in the ocean. They discover a mysterious copper cylinder containing a manuscript written by Adam More, who recounts his harrowing adventures after being shipwrecked while transporting convicts to Van Diemen's Land. More's ship encounters severe weather, leading to a series of misfortunes that ultimately result in him drifting into an uncharted land. More describes his arrival in a strange, warm land at the South Pole, inhabited by a peculiar race known as the Kosekin. This society is characterized by a paradoxical love for death and a disdain for life, which is reflected in their customs and beliefs. The Kosekin view death as the ultimate blessing, and their culture revolves around self-denial and the pursuit of honor through sacrifice. They celebrate the dark season with feasts and rituals that involve human sacrifices, which More finds horrifying. As More navigates this new world, he forms a bond with Almah, a beautiful woman who is also a captive of the Kosekin. Their relationship blossoms amidst the backdrop of a society that values death over life. Almah reveals the grim fate that awaits them both, as their love is seen as a prelude to sacrifice. Despite the horror of their situation, More and Almah find solace in each other, and their love becomes a source of strength. The narrative explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the nature of humanity, contrasting the Kosekin's values with More's own beliefs. The story culminates in a series of events that challenge More's understanding of life and death, leading to a profound realization about the nature of existence and the choices that define it. Ultimately, the manuscript serves as a reflection on the human condition, the search for meaning, and the struggle against a fate that seems predetermined.

By James De Mille · First published 1888 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Satire · 31 chapters · 102,438 words

First lines

It occurred as far back as February 15, 1850. It happened on that day that the yacht Falcon lay becalmed upon the ocean between the Canaries and the Madeira Islands. This yacht Falcon was the property of Lord Featherstone, who, being weary of life in England, had taken a few congenial friends for a winter's cruise in these southern latitudes. They had visited the Azores, the Canaries, and the Madeira Islands, and were now on their way to the Mediterranean.

What this Textopian page supports

A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder is listed on Textopian as a novel by James De Mille, dated 1888 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: James De Mille
• Date: 1888 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Satire, Fantasy, Philosophical Fiction
• Length: 102,438 words
• Structure: 31 chapters, 1,355 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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• Work identity for A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder by James De Mille
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder?
• How does this novel by James De Mille fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?

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Genres

• Science Fiction — The narrative involves speculative elements, including an alternate world and advanced technology.
• Adventure — The plot features exploration and the protagonist's journey through an unfamiliar and dangerous environment.
• Satire — The book critiques contemporary society and human nature through humor and exaggeration.
• Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements and imaginative settings that defy the laws of reality.

Tags

Science Fiction · Adventure · Fantasy · Mystery · Romance · Historical Fiction · Alternate History · Lost World · Prehistoric Era · Colonialism · Imperialism · Exploration

Contents

• The Finding of the Copper Cylinder
• Adrift in the Antarctic Ocean
• A World of Fire and Desolation
• The Sight of Human Beings
• The Torrent Sweeping under the Mountains
• The New World
• Scientific Theories and Scepticism
• The Cave-Dwellers
• The Cavern of the Dead
• The Sacred Hunt
• The Swamp Monster
• The Baleful Sacrifice
• The Awful Mista Kosek
• I Learn my Doom
• The Kohen is Inexorable
• The Kosekin
• Belief and Unbelief
• A Voyage over the Pole
• The Wonders of the Amir
• The Dark Maiden Layelah
• The Flying Monster
• Escape
• The Island of Fire
• Recapture
• Falling, Like Icarus, into the Sea
• Grimm's Law Again
• Oxenden Preaches a Sermon
• In Prison
• The Ceremony of Separation
• The Day of Sacrifice
• Conclusion

More by James De Mille

• All works by James De Mille