After surviving a shipwreck in the Antarctic, Peter Wilkins discovers a hidden world inhabited by a race of winged humans. Peter Wilkins, an English castaway, finds himself isolated in a remote, subterranean land after his vessel founders. He must navigate the social structures and biological realities of the Glumms and Gawreys, a species capable of flight. The narrative is presented as a first-person account, detailing his integration into this society and his eventual marriage to a winged woman named Youwarkee. His primary objective is survival and adaptation within a world governed by physical laws distinct from his own.

Readers and critics often compare this work to other classic castaway narratives, noting its distinct focus on the fantastical rather than purely realistic survival. Discussion frequently centers on the imaginative depiction of the winged people, which many scholars view as a significant contribution to early speculative fiction. While some find the pacing reflective of its 18th-century origins, others highlight the descriptive depth of the world-building as a primary draw. The text is often analyzed for its influence on later writers, with many noting that its reputation has grown as a curiosity of the genre. Readers frequently highlight the balance between the protagonist's domestic experiences and the broader societal structures he encounters.