The Land of Cockayne: A Novel

The novel is set in a fictional country called Cockayne which serves as a satirical representation of contemporary society. Cockayne is depicted as an idyllic land where the pursuit of wealth pleasure and superficial success dominates the lives of its inhabitants. This utopia however is portrayed with an underlying sense of irony and critique as Serao uses the setting to explore the moral and social shortcomings of her time. The narrative follows the lives of various characters who inhabit this land each representing different facets of society. Through their stories Serao examines themes such as greed corruption and the superficial nature of social status. The characters' interactions and conflicts highlight the discrepancies between appearance and reality revealing the emptiness and disillusionment that often lie behind the facade of prosperity and success.