The frigate “Lavr Georgievich,” whose captain is the gallant, renowned, wise, and formidable Sir Suer-Vyer, wanders through the labyrinths of some fantastic archipelago where you can discover countless islands. Together with the captain, the islands are explored by the pilot Katsman, the boatswain Pakhomy(ch), the midshipman Khrenov, the mechanic Semyonov, the boatswain Chugaylo, and the one from whose perspective the story is told—a friend, assistant, and constant conversational partner of the captain. Sometimes the islands help reveal themselves to the sailors, who most often remain on board.
“Island of Genuine Happiness,” “Island of Naked Women,” “Island of Cratyi,” “Island of the Beggars,” “Island of the Sent…” “Island of Warm Puppies,” “Island of Leshi Mizinov”…
The ultimate goal is the “Island of Truth,” which the author discovers without Suer-Vyer, because truth can be known only in solitude.