The Gates of Kamt
Dodd Mead, 1907. Item #86097
Very Good condition. Owner inscription, and name stamp. First American edition.
***The Gates of Kamt*** is the **American title** of Baroness Orczy's 1905 novel ***By the Gods Beloved***. It is an adventure-fantasy in the tradition of H. Rider Haggard's *She*, combining lost-world exploration, ancient Egypt, romance, and the supernatural. ([Wikipedia][1])
The novel begins with two English friends, **Hugh Tankerville** and the unnamed narrator, both fascinated by ancient Egyptian history and language. Convinced that descendants of the ancient Egyptians may still exist, they set out across the Libyan Desert in search of the legendary hidden kingdom of **Kamt**—"Kamt" being an ancient Egyptian name for Egypt. Against all expectations, they discover a secluded civilization that has survived for thousands of years, isolated from the outside world and still governed by traditions, religion, and customs dating back to the age of the Pharaohs. ([Project Gutenberg][2])
Once inside Kamt, the explorers become entangled in a struggle for the throne. The aging Pharaoh is dying, rival court factions compete for power, and the kingdom's future hinges on ancient prophecies. Hugh, whose appearance and bearing seem to fulfill those prophecies, is proclaimed by some to be **"beloved by the gods,"** thrusting him into palace intrigue and political conflict. ([Project Gutenberg][2])
A central element of the story is **Neit-akrit**, an extraordinarily beautiful princess whose beauty is portrayed as almost supernatural. Her presence inspires obsession, jealousy, and violence, making her both a romantic figure and a source of danger. The novel uses her character to explore themes of temptation, destiny, and sacrifice. ([Project Gutenberg][2])
Like many "lost race" novels of the period, *The Gates of Kamt* emphasizes:
* Exploration of an isolated civilization untouched by modern history.
* Conflicts between modern Europeans and an ancient culture.
* Prophecy, divine kingship, and questions of fate.
* Romance intertwined with political intrigue.
* Exotic landscapes and elaborate descriptions of temples, palaces, and desert scenery. ([Wikipedia][1])
Orczy later wrote that this was **the novel she most enjoyed writing** because it let her imagination roam freely. In her autobiography, she explained that she delighted in inventing places that never existed and characters unconstrained by ordinary reality, making the book quite different from her more famous historical adventures featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel. ([Wikipedia][1])
Although *The Gates of Kamt* never achieved the popularity of *The Scarlet Pimpernel*, it has remained of interest to readers of early fantasy and "lost world" fiction. It stands alongside works by writers such as H. Rider Haggard as an example of the early twentieth century's fascination with hidden civilizations, ancient mysteries, and archaeological adventure. ([Wikipedia][1]).
Price: $85.00