A shipwrecked crew discovers the isolated, technologically advanced society of Bensalem, forcing them to reconcile their own worldviews with a civilization governed by scientific inquiry. The protagonist and his companions navigate the social and intellectual structures of a hidden island nation that prioritizes the advancement of knowledge over traditional political power. They must observe the strict protocols of the House of Salomon, a research institution that serves as the governing body of the island. The narrative is presented as a first-person account, detailing the customs, religious practices, and scientific achievements of the inhabitants. The primary conflict arises from the tension between the visitors' limited understanding of the world and the sophisticated, orderly reality of the utopia they have encountered.

Discussion often centers on the text's role as a foundational document for the scientific revolution and its influence on utopian literature. Readers frequently highlight the clinical, detached tone of the prose, which reflects the author's focus on institutional structure rather than individual character development. Critics often examine the balance between the book's speculative technological predictions and its rigid social stratification. The work is widely recognized for its clear articulation of the relationship between state power and scientific discovery, remaining a primary subject of study for those interested in the history of ideas.