''A Romance of Two Worlds'' was
Marie Corelli
Mary Mackay (1 May 185521 April 1924), also called Minnie Mackey, and known by her pseudonym Marie Corelli (, also , ), was an English novelist.
From the appearance of her first novel ''A Romance of Two Worlds'' in 1886, she became the bestsel ...
's first novel, published in 1886. It referenced the contemporary debate between creationism and evolution, as well as supernatural themes, overlaid with elements of science fiction. The book was an immediate commercial success, establishing Corelli as one of the most popular writers of the time, though like much of her subsequent work, it was negatively received by critics.
Synopsis
A young improvisational musician in London experiences a debilitating depression. Her doctor is unable to help her and sends her off on a holiday where she meets a mystical character by the name of Raffello Cellini, an Italian painter who has rediscovered the secret of vivid, lightfast
pigments
A pigment is a colored material that is completely or nearly insoluble in water. In contrast, dyes are typically soluble, at least at some stage in their use. Generally dyes are often organic compounds whereas pigments are often inorganic compou ...
. Cellini offers her a strange potion which immediately puts her into a tranquil slumber, in which she experiences divine visions, which causes her symptoms of
neurasthenia
Neurasthenia (from the Ancient Greek νεῦρον ''neuron'' "nerve" and ἀσθενής ''asthenés'' "weak") is a term that was first used at least as early as 1829 for a mechanical weakness of the nerves and became a major diagnosis in North A ...
to somewhat abate. Cellini directs her to take up residence in Paris under the tutelage of Heliobas, a
Chaldean Christian and "electric physician" who performs miraculous feats including prophecy, telepathy and
animal magnetism
Animal magnetism, also known as mesmerism, was a protoscientific theory developed by German doctor Franz Mesmer in the 18th century in relation to what he claimed to be an invisible natural force (''Lebensmagnetismus'') possessed by all livi ...
. He introduces her to his sister Zara, a sculptress, with whom she enjoys a close friendship, and to Prince Ivan, a rakish figure who pursues an unrequited attraction to Zara. She witnesses Ivan attempt to assault Zara, who repels him with electric power similar to that of an
electric eel
The electric eels are a genus, ''Electrophorus'', of neotropical freshwater fish from South America in the family Gymnotidae. They are known for their ability to stun their prey by generating electricity, delivering shocks at up to 860 volt ...
. From this, the protagonist gleans that the arts practiced by Heliobas enable the strengthening of a human organ similar to a
voltaic pile
upright=1.2, Schematic diagram of a copper–zinc voltaic pile. The copper and zinc discs were separated by cardboard or felt spacers soaked in salt water (the electrolyte). Volta's original piles contained an additional zinc disk at the bottom, ...
, granting health and longevity as well as other powers. Heliobas prescribes plant remedies to the heroine, which cause her health to steadily improve and enable her to cultivate these supernatural powers. Under the influence of a
psychedelic
Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips").Pollan, Michael (2018). ''How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of ...
draught, she meets her unnamed guardian angel, who whisks her through infinite solar systems faster than a shooting star while human spirits fly by like
gossamer silk. The spirits share with her the secrets of the universe and the nature of Christ, as well as a premonition that Heliobas's own salvation is in danger. When she awakes, Heliobas bestows upon her his treatise on the "Electric Principle of Christianity," which is reprinted in the book, as well as a document on the stewardship of her newfound electric powers. She witnesses Zara's
death by lightning, which prompts Ivan to challenge Heliobas to a duel, and persuades Heliobas not to kill Ivan. Heliobas leaves Paris, assuring the heroine that they will meet again. In the conclusion, the heroine reflects on what she has learned from Heliobas since the events of the story, asserting a historical basis for
crystal healing and other miracles. She states that she expects her story to be received as a fiction, but reaffirms her belief that the universe is electric in nature.
Composition and publication
Corelli composed ''A Romance of Two Worlds'' in 1885. She sent the story to publisher
George Bentley. Bentley took an interest in the book after receiving highly divided reports from readers, including a very negative one from novelist
Hall Caine
Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine (14 May 1853 – 31 August 1931), usually known as Hall Caine, was a British novelist, dramatist, short story writer, poet and critic of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Caine's popularity during ...
—an act that began a lifelong feud between Caine and Corelli.
Suspecting that the novel might have commercial appeal, Bentley agreed to publish it, and Corelli signed a contract on 5 September 1885, earning 40 pounds immediately, with an additional 30 pounds to be paid if sales reached 600 copies, and again if they reached 750.
Corelli initially titled the story ''Lifted Up'', perhaps inspired by the 1883 shilling novelette ''
Called Back'', but changed it at Bentley's suggestion. The final title was suggested by Corelli's father,
Charles Mackay Charles (or Charlie) Mackay, McKay, or MacKay may refer to:
* Charles Mackay (author) (1814–1889), Scottish poet, journalist, author, anthologist, novelist, and songwriter
* Charles McKay (1855–1883), American naturalist and explorer
* Charles ...
.
Though it was most common at the time for novels to be
published in three volumes, Corelli intended ''A Romance of Two Worlds'' to be published in only one. Ultimately, it was printed in either two or three volumes, and became available for sale on 19 February 1886.
Reception
The book was not well reviewed by critics, a circumstance which publisher George Bentley anticipated, writing to Corelli that "I think it will provoke much adverse criticism". A critic for ''
The World
In its most general sense, the term "world" refers to the totality of entities, to the whole of reality or to everything that is. The nature of the world has been conceptualized differently in different fields. Some conceptions see the worl ...
'' wrote that "as a pure romance... the book is a tolerable thing enough. If the writer intends us to take it seriously—as her preface seems half to suggest—it is pure bosh." Another single-line review simply read "Miss Corelli would have been better advised had she embodied her ridiculous ideas in a sixpenny pamphlet." ''
The Athenaeum'' gave measured praise, writing that "considered as a romance, pure and simple, it may entertain its readers not a little."
Despite this, the book was a success with the reading public, and within six months of publication, Corelli reported to Bentley that letters from appreciative readers were "pouring in every day". After twelve months, Bentley published a second edition in one volume as part of his "Favourite" series. This edition included a new introduction by Corelli, and an appendix with quotes from readers' letters.
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 185430 November 1900) was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. He is ...
was among the book's fans, writing to Corelli, "I have read the book over again... you certainly tell of marvellous things in a marvellous way."
Her scripture, "The Electric Principle of Christianity," included in the novel, is presented as something factual and after the publication of the book, generated a
cult following
A cult following refers to a group of fans who are highly dedicated to some person, idea, object, movement, or work, often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an artwork in some medium. The lattermost is often called a cult classic. ...
, in which readers sought more information about her experience. Today,
New Age
New Age is a range of spiritual or religious practices and beliefs which rapidly grew in Western society during the early 1970s. Its highly eclectic and unsystematic structure makes a precise definition difficult. Although many scholars conside ...
devotees hail Corelli as "inspired".
Themes
In ''A Romance of Two Worlds'', Marie Corelli takes on an old argument between the
creationists
Creationism is the religious belief that nature, and aspects such as the universe, Earth, life, and humans, originated with supernatural acts of Creation myth, divine creation.#Gunn 2004, Gunn 2004, p. 9, "The ''Concise Oxford Dictionary'' say ...
and the
evolutionists
Evolutionism is a term used (often derogatorily) to denote the theory of evolution. Its exact meaning has changed over time as the study of evolution has progressed. In the 19th century, it was used to describe the belief that organisms deliberate ...
. However, her insights are futuristic, including ideas about electricity, solar power, and the properties of the atom.
She explains in the introduction,
in this cultivated age a wall of skepticism and cynicism is gradually being built up by intellectual thinkers of every nation against all the treats of the Supernatural and Unseen, I am aware that my narration of the events I have recently experienced will be read with incredulity. At a time when the great empire of the Christian Religion is being assailed, or politely ignored by governments and public speakers and teachers, I realize to the fullest extent how daring is any attempt to prove, even by a plain history of strange occurrences happening to one's self, the actual existence of the Supernatural around us; and the absolute certainty of a future state of being, after the passage through that brief soul-topor in which the body perishes, known to us as Death.
The book is suffused with
Pantheism
Pantheism is the belief that reality, the universe and the cosmos are identical with divinity and a supreme supernatural being or entity, pointing to the universe as being an immanent creator deity still expanding and creating, which has ex ...
. She also argues that Christ did not come to us as a sacrifice because God is a creator of love and beauty and could not desire "a bleeding victim as sacrifice to appease His Anger
.."
Real-life inspirations
Many believe that the book is autobiographical, a belief which Corelli encouraged. One passage describing the main character's relationship with a female friend, Zara, has been identified as possibly inspired by Corelli's lifelong companion
Bertha Vyver
Bertha Vyver (11 June 1854 – 20 November 1941) was a caretaker for Scottish poet Charles Mackay and the companion of Marie Corelli. From 1875 until his death in 1889, Vyver kept house and nursed Mackay, later caring for her own mother prior to ...
:
Zara and I became inseparables; we worked together, read together, and together every morning gave those finishing-touches to the ordering and arrangement of the household which are essentially feminine, and which not the wisest philosopher in all the world has been, or ever will be, able to accomplish successfully. We grew to love each other dearly, with that ungrudging, sympathizing, confiding friendship that is very rarely found between two women.
In several chapters Corelli hints that the character Heliobas may be the
Count of St. Germain, although the
Fraternitas Rosae Crucis
Fraternitas Rosae Crucis (Fraternity of the Rosy Cross or FRC) is a Rosicrucian fraternal organization established in the United States by Paschal Beverly Randolph in 1856,Greer, page 194 and is the oldest Rosicrucian Order founded in the US.Lewi ...
identifies him as an
Illuminati
The Illuminati (; plural of Latin ''illuminatus'', 'enlightened') is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, the name usually refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on ...
hierophant
A hierophant ( grc, ἱεροφάντης) is a person who brings religious congregants into the presence of that which is deemed ''holy''. As such, a hierophant is an interpreter of sacred mysteries and wikt:arcane, arcane principles.
The word ...
, Count A. di Guinotti.
Heliobas appears in two other Corelli novels, ''Ardath'' and ''The Soul of Lilith''.
Notes
Citations
References
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External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Romance of Two Worlds
1886 British novels
Novels by Marie Corelli
Victorian novels
1886 debut novels