What do you think?
Rate this book
Eden Undone: A True Story of Sex, Murder, and Utopia at the Dawn of World War II
An incredible true story of murder in a utopian community established on a remote Galápagos island by European refugees and the American industrialist who became embroiled in the investigation—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ghosts of Eden Park
At the height of the Great Depression, Los Angeles oil mogul George Allan Hancock and his crew of Smithsonian scientists came upon a gruesome scene: two bodies, mummified by the searing heat, on the shore of a remote Galápagos island. For the past four years Hancock and other American elites had traveled the South Seas to collect specimens for scientific research. On one trip to the Galápagos, Hancock was surprised to discover an equally exotic group of humans: European exiles who had fled political and economic unrest, hoping to create a utopian paradise. One was so devoted to a life of isolation that he’d had his teeth extracted and replaced with a set of steel dentures.
As Hancock and his fellow American explorers would witness, paradise had turned into chaos. The three sets of exiles—a Berlin doctor and his lover, a traumatized World War I veteran and his young family, and an Austrian baroness with two adoring paramours—were riven by conflict. Petty slights led to angry confrontations. The baroness, wielding a riding crop and pearl-handled revolver, staged physical fights between her two lovers and unabashedly seduced American tourists. The conclusion was deadly: with two exiles missing and three others dead, the survivors hurled accusations of murder.
Using never-before-published archives, Abbott Kahler weaves a chilling, stranger-than-fiction tale worthy of Agatha Christie. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the march to World War II, with a mystery as alluring and curious as the Galápagos itself, Eden Undone explores the universal and timeless desire to seek utopia—and lays bare the human fallibility that, inevitably, renders such a quest doomed.
At the height of the Great Depression, Los Angeles oil mogul George Allan Hancock and his crew of Smithsonian scientists came upon a gruesome scene: two bodies, mummified by the searing heat, on the shore of a remote Galápagos island. For the past four years Hancock and other American elites had traveled the South Seas to collect specimens for scientific research. On one trip to the Galápagos, Hancock was surprised to discover an equally exotic group of humans: European exiles who had fled political and economic unrest, hoping to create a utopian paradise. One was so devoted to a life of isolation that he’d had his teeth extracted and replaced with a set of steel dentures.
As Hancock and his fellow American explorers would witness, paradise had turned into chaos. The three sets of exiles—a Berlin doctor and his lover, a traumatized World War I veteran and his young family, and an Austrian baroness with two adoring paramours—were riven by conflict. Petty slights led to angry confrontations. The baroness, wielding a riding crop and pearl-handled revolver, staged physical fights between her two lovers and unabashedly seduced American tourists. The conclusion was deadly: with two exiles missing and three others dead, the survivors hurled accusations of murder.
Using never-before-published archives, Abbott Kahler weaves a chilling, stranger-than-fiction tale worthy of Agatha Christie. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the march to World War II, with a mystery as alluring and curious as the Galápagos itself, Eden Undone explores the universal and timeless desire to seek utopia—and lays bare the human fallibility that, inevitably, renders such a quest doomed.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 24, 2024
About the author
Abbott Kahler
4 books121 followersThis author is also published under Karen Abbott
Abbott Kahler, formerly writing as Karen Abbott, is the New York Times bestselling author of Sin in the Second City; American Rose; Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy; and The Ghosts of Eden Park. She is also the host of Remus: The Mad Bootleg King, a podcast about legendary Jazz Age bootlegger George Remus. A native of Philadelphia, she lives in New York City and in Greenport, New York.
Abbott Kahler, formerly writing as Karen Abbott, is the New York Times bestselling author of Sin in the Second City; American Rose; Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy; and The Ghosts of Eden Park. She is also the host of Remus: The Mad Bootleg King, a podcast about legendary Jazz Age bootlegger George Remus. A native of Philadelphia, she lives in New York City and in Greenport, New York.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 22, 2024
'It could be so beautiful on earth, if humans weren't animals'.
The Great War had ended but the feeling of discontent still existed for many. In Germany, war reparations were crippling the economy and Hitler was beginning to garner support. Friedrich, a doctor, and his acolyte Dore, decide 'civilisation' wasn’t something they wanted to be a part of. The dream to create a utopia, supported by their own, unique, philosophies was realised when they move to Floreana: an island, some purported as cursed, in the Galapagos, 'The islands lie just about as Vulcan cast them down, or perhaps it was Lucifer who heaved them out'. Despite living off-grid and off-line, word of these real-life castaways spreads, 'We had become objects of sensational publicity.' Soon another couple and their son join them. Feathers are ruffled but island life carries on - albeit with a slight tension in the air. It isn't until the Baroness and her minions arrive, after convincing the local government of their intent to build a luxury hotel, that a match is finally struck to, 'the intense, claustrophobic cauldron of a remote island'. Fair to say, the utopian dream is blown sky-high and, ironically, it becomes an experiment of Darwin's survival of the fittest.
'Survivor' has nothing on this true story. Kahler does an awesome job of providing contextual tidbits without distracting the reader or detracting from the core story. Although this story is as readable, and captivating as fiction, the provision of extensive endnotes assures the reader that it is indeed non-fiction.
If you love stories of adventure or psychological thrillers (fiction or non), be assured you'll love this.
The Great War had ended but the feeling of discontent still existed for many. In Germany, war reparations were crippling the economy and Hitler was beginning to garner support. Friedrich, a doctor, and his acolyte Dore, decide 'civilisation' wasn’t something they wanted to be a part of. The dream to create a utopia, supported by their own, unique, philosophies was realised when they move to Floreana: an island, some purported as cursed, in the Galapagos, 'The islands lie just about as Vulcan cast them down, or perhaps it was Lucifer who heaved them out'. Despite living off-grid and off-line, word of these real-life castaways spreads, 'We had become objects of sensational publicity.' Soon another couple and their son join them. Feathers are ruffled but island life carries on - albeit with a slight tension in the air. It isn't until the Baroness and her minions arrive, after convincing the local government of their intent to build a luxury hotel, that a match is finally struck to, 'the intense, claustrophobic cauldron of a remote island'. Fair to say, the utopian dream is blown sky-high and, ironically, it becomes an experiment of Darwin's survival of the fittest.
'Survivor' has nothing on this true story. Kahler does an awesome job of providing contextual tidbits without distracting the reader or detracting from the core story. Although this story is as readable, and captivating as fiction, the provision of extensive endnotes assures the reader that it is indeed non-fiction.
If you love stories of adventure or psychological thrillers (fiction or non), be assured you'll love this.
July 1, 2024
This book (and everyone in it) is BONKERS. Abbott Kahler is one of my favorites and her newest book, Eden Undone, does not disappoint.
There is one major problem, though. I don't want to ruin this for you. I went in almost completely blind about the story. I think it's the best way to approach this. Here is what you need to know. Various people decide to try and create isolated lives with their significant others on a deserted Galapagos island. In order not to spoil anything specific, but to also explain just how bonkers the story is, I'd like to provide a list. The following things are in this book:
1. Spouse swapping
2. Hitler
3. Volcanic eruptions
4. Murderous cows
5. Actual murder....maybe?
6. Drownings
7. Shipwrecks
8. Nudity. So much nudity.
9. Sex, duh.
10. Bad philosophy
That's not even all of it. A story like this in the hands of a pro like Kahler is a guaranteed page turner. I shall say no more. I want you to end up on the edge of your seat like I was.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Crown Publishing.)
There is one major problem, though. I don't want to ruin this for you. I went in almost completely blind about the story. I think it's the best way to approach this. Here is what you need to know. Various people decide to try and create isolated lives with their significant others on a deserted Galapagos island. In order not to spoil anything specific, but to also explain just how bonkers the story is, I'd like to provide a list. The following things are in this book:
1. Spouse swapping
2. Hitler
3. Volcanic eruptions
4. Murderous cows
5. Actual murder....maybe?
6. Drownings
7. Shipwrecks
8. Nudity. So much nudity.
9. Sex, duh.
10. Bad philosophy
That's not even all of it. A story like this in the hands of a pro like Kahler is a guaranteed page turner. I shall say no more. I want you to end up on the edge of your seat like I was.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Crown Publishing.)
August 20, 2024
This was a true Stranger Than Fiction tale that probably would never have been known or told had not been for just about everyone on the island having kept journal, diaries, and wrote letters as often as they did. This one kept me up late, gobbling up all the pages til my eyes crossed for sleep wanting to know what happened to the fated residents of Floreana. Just.. Wow!
Thank you to Crown Publishing and Abbott Kahler for an ARC via Goodreads giveaway. This was an adventure and history I will not soon forget!
Thank you to Crown Publishing and Abbott Kahler for an ARC via Goodreads giveaway. This was an adventure and history I will not soon forget!
July 16, 2024
I flew through this suspenseful and engagingly written non-fiction book. Thanks to an advance copy from the publisher, I'm writing a review for an academic journal and giving a presentation on this book in the fall. It's totally in line with studies of "utopian" visions of creating Edenic places to live--that's why I requested a copy. After the review is available, I'll share more thoughts here.
If you're interested in utopian dreamers and true stories of adventure, then you should definitely get a copy of Eden Undone. Abbott Kahler did her research and presented it in a way that is both gripping and thoughtful!
If you're interested in utopian dreamers and true stories of adventure, then you should definitely get a copy of Eden Undone. Abbott Kahler did her research and presented it in a way that is both gripping and thoughtful!
July 11, 2024
To be published by Crown in September, 2024.
Fiction has to seem true to life. Non-Fiction does not have that burden. Narrative historian Abbott Kahler (who used to write as Karen Abbott) has given us a true story so outrageous, so indescribable, it would never pass as fiction. In the early 30’s a Nietzsche-loving doctor and his patient/lover/ acolyte Dore give up their lives in Germany to live on one of the more inhospitable islands in the Galapagos. They do not want a jungle paradise; they want hard work tinged with a hint of punishment. Soon they are joined by others, including the vampish Baroness, who prove the old adage that Hell is other people. Based on primary sources, the book is more LORD OF THE FLIES than ROBINSON CRUSOE. Sex, distrust, and a penchant for retribution do not a Utopia make.
Fiction has to seem true to life. Non-Fiction does not have that burden. Narrative historian Abbott Kahler (who used to write as Karen Abbott) has given us a true story so outrageous, so indescribable, it would never pass as fiction. In the early 30’s a Nietzsche-loving doctor and his patient/lover/ acolyte Dore give up their lives in Germany to live on one of the more inhospitable islands in the Galapagos. They do not want a jungle paradise; they want hard work tinged with a hint of punishment. Soon they are joined by others, including the vampish Baroness, who prove the old adage that Hell is other people. Based on primary sources, the book is more LORD OF THE FLIES than ROBINSON CRUSOE. Sex, distrust, and a penchant for retribution do not a Utopia make.
August 7, 2024
At first, I was a little nervous going into this book. I don't usually read non-fiction since it doesn't grab my attention as much as fiction does. However, reading Eden Undone has showed me the non-fiction can be just as entertaining and shocking as any other genre. This story was filled with colorful characters, intense scenes and tons of information. The most shocking thing about Eden Undone was that everything in it actually happened. Oftentimes I found myself thinking that I was reading a novel only to realize that it's a true story.
Kahler does an excellent job at portraying the various events in an entertaining yet informative way. The pacing is wonderfully executed and the writing style is consistent. The information given throughout the book was relevant to the story which gave it a good flow.
Overall this has to be one of my favorite non-fiction books yet and I recommend it to anyone a fan of history and wild stories!
Kahler does an excellent job at portraying the various events in an entertaining yet informative way. The pacing is wonderfully executed and the writing style is consistent. The information given throughout the book was relevant to the story which gave it a good flow.
Overall this has to be one of my favorite non-fiction books yet and I recommend it to anyone a fan of history and wild stories!
July 17, 2024
As the cloud of WWII rises over Europe, three sets of exiles arrive separately, and seeking different ends, at an uninhabited and partially uninhabitable island in the Galapagos. Their lives intersect with each other and the variety of outsiders - fisherman, scientists and international millionaires – who occasionally stop by. Their story which is full of Intrigue, violence, sex and the struggle to create a utopia reads like a compelling crime novel but is, in fact, well researched nonfiction about a little corner of almost unknown but fascinating history.
June 12, 2024
This book is very detailed. There was a lot of writings, from diaries to journal articles, to letters written to others to document the island life of the inhabitants.
The author does a great job on timeline and some of the reasons why people went missing or were murdered.
For me, it was a long build up, then BOOM! Two people are missing. Were they murdered? Did they leave? Who knows, the author then rushed to the next person.
Two bodies on the shore line, one was from the Eden, what happened to him? Authorities may have believed that it was thirst. He died from not having water.
Then the final mystery.....did the original inhabitant die from murder or food poisoning? Again, who knows?
The build up while it talked about the build up of insanity on the Baroness and her entourage, I was left with wanting more. The Baroness just stole items from the other settlers and there was no retaliation?
Then the mysterious deaths occur, no one bats an eye?!
it appeared to me that the author was done, ok here is the people, here is the mystery, the reader should be able to figure it out.
Then the end.
Overall, it was detailed, but the ending so abrupt I had to wonder what the author was leaving out.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
The author does a great job on timeline and some of the reasons why people went missing or were murdered.
For me, it was a long build up, then BOOM! Two people are missing. Were they murdered? Did they leave? Who knows, the author then rushed to the next person.
Two bodies on the shore line, one was from the Eden, what happened to him? Authorities may have believed that it was thirst. He died from not having water.
Then the final mystery.....did the original inhabitant die from murder or food poisoning? Again, who knows?
The build up while it talked about the build up of insanity on the Baroness and her entourage, I was left with wanting more. The Baroness just stole items from the other settlers and there was no retaliation?
Then the mysterious deaths occur, no one bats an eye?!
it appeared to me that the author was done, ok here is the people, here is the mystery, the reader should be able to figure it out.
Then the end.
Overall, it was detailed, but the ending so abrupt I had to wonder what the author was leaving out.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
June 23, 2024
What really happened on the Galapago Island of Floreana and was it murder? There were certainly motives galore and dodgy characters to pin it on... a doctor who wanted to set up a paradise based on Nietzschean philosophy and his willing acolyte, a German war veteran and his wife who are determined to raise a family, and "baroness" Von Wagner a slippery and evil woman sporting two lovesick rivals. While the two couples work tirelessly to make this combination of island paradise and volcanic dangerous wasteland their Eden, Von Wagner decides to establish a resort hotel which will house rich American tourists drawn to Floreana by Hancock, the captain of the cruise ship Velero lll, who publicized the island. Definitely trouble in paradise.
Abbott, author of Ghosts of Eden Park, has written a page turning, hold your breath true tale that reads like fiction but is thoroughly backed up by fact. Using unpublished documents and archival material, she drops her readers on the island to colonize Floreana with the inhabitants, and challenges them to solve the mystery and escape while they still can.
Abbott, author of Ghosts of Eden Park, has written a page turning, hold your breath true tale that reads like fiction but is thoroughly backed up by fact. Using unpublished documents and archival material, she drops her readers on the island to colonize Floreana with the inhabitants, and challenges them to solve the mystery and escape while they still can.
August 3, 2024
This book is an account of the homesteading of ultimately 10 people on an uninhabited island in the Galapagos, Floreana. The initial settlers, a German couple, Dr. Ritter and Dore Koerwin, his enamored disciple. Choosing a simpler life in order to emulate and live Nietzsche’s teaching, Dr. Ritter demonstrates his extreme eccentricities. Totally emotionally and physically abusive toward Dare, she chose to stay in order to support him. After achieving some notoriety from wealthy capitalists, they are joined by a seemingly simple and normal German family of three, soon to be four, the Wittmers. Soon they are also joined by an evil megalomaniac, the Baroness and her two lovers and a laborer, who plans to open a hotel. I found Kahler’s depiction of this despicable woman very one-sided that I callously rooted for her ultimate demise. The book was interesting and well researched and I can see how it would be a good television series. Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2024
Bravo! A thoroughly engaging non-fiction account of murder in a utopian community on a remote island in Galapagos during WW II.
This reads like fiction, however as Abbott states in her Author’s Note, everything between quotation marks comes from an archive, diary, letter, newspaper article, book & unpublished manuscripts. The details & descriptions are spot on.
If you love history and want to learn the true life happenings of what becomes of the individuals searching for a utopian world of their own on the island of Galapagos, then you must read this novel. You will be intrigued & disgusted at the same time. These people were sociopathic, narcissistic, deceitful, cruel & greedy individuals. And oh the debauchery!
Favorite Lines:
“You never see the animal in man….And yet, there lies the root of every evil. It is the animal in us that torments us, and drives us from the path. That is the evil spirit which we must drive out, and it is all the more difficult because it appears so often in a charming mask.”
“ It could be so beautiful on earth…if humans weren’t animals.”
“Do you know that there may be moments in our relations with those we love, when we leave them to be nearer to them?”
Thank you to NetGalley, Crown Publishing & Abbott Kahler for an ARC in return for an honest review.
This reads like fiction, however as Abbott states in her Author’s Note, everything between quotation marks comes from an archive, diary, letter, newspaper article, book & unpublished manuscripts. The details & descriptions are spot on.
If you love history and want to learn the true life happenings of what becomes of the individuals searching for a utopian world of their own on the island of Galapagos, then you must read this novel. You will be intrigued & disgusted at the same time. These people were sociopathic, narcissistic, deceitful, cruel & greedy individuals. And oh the debauchery!
Favorite Lines:
“You never see the animal in man….And yet, there lies the root of every evil. It is the animal in us that torments us, and drives us from the path. That is the evil spirit which we must drive out, and it is all the more difficult because it appears so often in a charming mask.”
“ It could be so beautiful on earth…if humans weren’t animals.”
“Do you know that there may be moments in our relations with those we love, when we leave them to be nearer to them?”
Thank you to NetGalley, Crown Publishing & Abbott Kahler for an ARC in return for an honest review.
July 16, 2024
An interesting story with larger than life characters on the stage of the Galapagos. Kahler did a nice job of researching and choosing historical details that made the people real and interesting. The different versions of what happened are well handled and add to both the reality and tension of the book. Eden Undone deepened my understanding of a historical period and the impact of individual beliefs and stories on our perceptions of the world today.
August 21, 2024
Wow! Interesting and well written book. I watched the documentary “The Galapagos Affair: Satan comes to Eden” on YouTube after reading a couple chapters of the book. A lot of pictures and films. After watching I continued reading the book with the characters and layout of the island in mind. It’s such a wild story, leaves you wondering what really happened on that island. I received this advanced copy in a Goodreads giveaway.
July 1, 2024
This was a strange story of a couple wanting to get away from the world by moving to the Galápagos on an uninhabited island called Floreana aka Charles Island. When two other groups eventually move there too, problems abound, spoiling their imagined utopia. Deftly told by the author as the mysteries play out.
July 4, 2024
This was bonkers but interesting I had seen a documentary about it and it just goes to prove no place is a utopia no matter how much you want it to be . It was a good read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book
August 19, 2024
This true life tale of German and Austrian eccentrics fleeing civilization to build a utopia on a Galápagos island would be compelling enough even without the murders. A fascinating story well told.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews