Step into the twilight years of Atlantis, a civilization teetering on the brink of self-destruction, in C. J. Cutcliffe Hyne's foundational 'lost race' epic. We follow the formidable warrior-priest Deucalion as he navigates a world of arcane magic, political machinations, and colossal sea beasts, all while attempting to curb the tyrannical ambition of the empress Phorenice. From gladiatorial combat to naval battles against colossal squid, this is a rip-roaring saga of a dying world, brimming with mythic creatures and high-stakes adventure. More than just a swashbuckling tale, *The Lost Continent* is a vital ancestor of modern fantasy and science fiction, laying groundwork for the pulp adventures that would follow. Its DNA can be traced through the heroic sagas of Robert E. Howard and the planetary romances of Edgar Rice Burroughs, offering a fascinating glimpse into the imaginative wellspring of 20th-century speculative fiction. It's a testament to the enduring allure of forgotten empires and the eternal struggle against hubris.
About The Lost Continent
Chapter Summaries
- Prefatory
- The narrator explains how he discovered ancient tablets in a cave in the Canary Islands, written by Deucalion. Dr. Coppinger translates them but later claims ownership, leading to a legal dispute over publication rights.
- I
- Deucalion is recalled from his twenty-year rule of Yucatan by the new Empress Phorenice. His friend Tatho arrives to replace him, and they discuss the changed political situation in Atlantis.
- II
- Deucalion travels back to Atlantis on Tatho's ships. During the voyage, they are attacked by sea monsters, and Deucalion demonstrates his fighting prowess by killing a giant sea lizard.
Key Themes
- Duty vs. Personal Desire
- Deucalion constantly struggles between his obligations to the Priests' Clan and Atlantis versus his love for Nais. This conflict drives much of his internal torment and decision-making throughout the story.
- The Corruption of Power
- Phorenice's rise from swineherd's daughter to tyrannical empress illustrates how absolute power corrupts. Her increasing megalomania leads her to declare herself a goddess and oppress her people.
- Religious Faith vs. Secular Authority
- The ancient priestly order represents traditional religious authority, while Phorenice embodies secular power that challenges and ultimately seeks to replace the old gods with herself.
Characters
- Deucalion(protagonist)
- A priest-general and former viceroy of Yucatan, recalled to Atlantis after twenty years. He is a skilled warrior and administrator who becomes caught between duty to the Priests' Clan and his love for Nais.
- Phorenice(antagonist)
- The Empress of Atlantis, originally a swineherd's daughter who rose to power through cunning and force. She is beautiful, brilliant, and ruthlessly ambitious, declaring herself a goddess.
- Nais(major)
- Daughter of Zaemon and twin sister to Ylga. A rebel who fights against Phorenice's tyranny and becomes Deucalion's beloved, ultimately buried alive in a drugged sleep.
- Zaemon(major)
- A powerful priest and father to Nais and Ylga. Once Phorenice's adoptive father, he now leads the religious opposition against her rule and possesses great mystical powers.
- Ylga(major)
- Twin sister to Nais and former fan-girl to Phorenice. She helps Deucalion out of love for him and eventually aids his escape from Atlantis.
- Tatho(major)
- Deucalion's old friend and successor as viceroy of Yucatan. A former general who was defeated by Phorenice and became her devoted follower.
