A group of idealistic intellectuals attempts to establish a utopian community in the remote wilderness of Paraguay, only to find their vision compromised by internal power struggles and external political pressures. The protagonist navigates the logistical nightmare of building a self-sustaining society while contending with the conflicting ideologies of fellow colonists. The narrative framework utilizes a detached, observational style to examine the friction between utopian theory and human fallibility. Physical isolation serves as a catalyst for the breakdown of social order, forcing characters to confront the reality of their failed experiment.

Readers frequently highlight the clinical, detached prose style that mirrors the cold reality of the characters' failing project. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the book as a critique of mid-twentieth-century political movements and the inherent flaws in human nature. Critics note that the pacing is deliberate, favoring character study and philosophical debate over traditional plot progression. The atmosphere is described as increasingly claustrophobic, reflecting the tightening grip of the environment on the settlers. This work is often cited for its ability to dismantle the romanticized notion of the utopian commune without resorting to melodrama.