Atlantida

Atlantida is a novel by Pierre Benoit, first published in 1919. This classic French adventure novel blends romance, mystery, and exotic exploration in a tale inspired by the legend of Atlantis. Set in the vast and unforgiving Sahara Desert, the story follows two French officers, Lieutenant André de Saint-Avit and Captain Morhange, who embark on a military expedition deep into North Africa. When their mission goes awry, they find themselves drawn into a hidden and extraordinary world far removed from the civilisation they know.

Rescued—or captured—by the enigmatic Tuareg people, the officers are taken to a secret mountain stronghold where they encounter the mysterious and captivating Antinéa, a queen who claims direct descent from the lost civilisation of Atlantis. Surrounded by opulence and ancient splendour in the heart of the desert, Saint-Avit and Morhange become entangled in a dangerous web of desire, jealousy, and fatal fascination. Antinéa’s beauty and authority hold a powerful sway, and the isolation of the Saharan setting intensifies the psychological tension between the characters.

As the narrative unfolds, Benoit explores themes of obsession, colonial ambition, forbidden love, and the clash between European rationalism and mythic legend. The atmosphere is richly descriptive, evoking both the harsh grandeur of the Sahara and the decadent allure of Antinéa’s hidden court. Without revealing its full resolution, Atlantida builds toward a dramatic reckoning shaped by loyalty, pride, and the irresistible pull of the unknown.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential early 20th-century adventure romances, Atlantida became an international bestseller and inspired multiple film adaptations. Readers interested in classic French literature, lost world fiction, desert adventure novels, and tales of the Atlantis legend will find this ebook edition a compelling and atmospheric read.

This translation by Mary C. Tongue and Mary Ross was published in 1920.