The Book of Ptath by A. E. van Vogt is a science fiction novel set two hundred million years in the future, on a re-formed supercontinent called Gonwonlane. The story centers on Ptath, a god whose powers are fueled by the prayers of women, and who once ruled alongside his two goddess-wives. During Ptath's absence—while he incarnates as mortals throughout Earth's history—one goddess-wife, Ineznia, seizes power by imprisoning the other and forbidding women to pray, thus cutting Ptath off from his source of strength.
Ptath is brought back to this far-future world in his immortal body but with the mind and memories of a recently killed World War II tank commander, Peter (or Richard) Holroyd, leaving him amnesiac and vulnerable. As he journeys across Gonwonlane, Ptath gradually regains fragments of his past and divine identity, facing magical and physical trials orchestrated by Ineznia, who seeks his destruction. He is aided by his captive goddess-wife, L’onee, as he struggles to reclaim his power and restore balance to the world.
The novel blends science fiction, fantasy, and myth, featuring body-swapping, time travel, and a richly imaginative setting. It explores themes of identity, power, free will, and transformation, with Ptath’s internal conflict between his human and godly natures driving much of the narrative. The book is notable for its fast pace, inventive world-building, and the complex interplay of its main characters.
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