A Romance Of Two Worlds
By Marie Corelli
Published by Methuen & Co: London "The Colonial Library" 1896
"Mary Mackay (1855 - 1924), also called Minnie Mackey and known by her pseudonym Marie Corelli, was an English novelist.
From the appearance of her first novel A Romance of Two Worlds in 1886, she became a bestselling fiction-writer, her works were largely concerned with Christianity, reincarnation, astral projection and mysticism. Yet despite her many distinguished patrons, she was often ridiculed by critics. Corelli lived her later years in Stratford-upon-Avon, whose historic buildings she fought hard to preserve.
A Romance of Two Worlds by Marie Corelli, first published in 1886, is a pioneering work of spiritual and speculative fiction that explores the intersection of science, religion, and the supernatural. The novel follows a young woman suffering from a mysterious illness who encounters a spiritually enlightened figure named Heliobas. Through him, she undergoes a transformative journey that reveals the existence of an invisible spiritual realm parallel to the material world. This awakening leads her to experience visions, gain mystical insights, and ultimately understand the divine forces that govern human existence.
Corelli uses the narrative to critique materialism and promote a vision of higher consciousness grounded in a fusion of Christian mysticism and metaphysical science. Blending elements of fantasy, theology, and philosophy, the novel captured the imagination of Victorian readers and became a bestseller. Its significance lies in its bold exploration of spiritual themes at a time when faith and science were often seen as conflicting forces. A Romance of Two Worlds helped establish Corelli as one of the most popular authors of her era, influencing early New Age thought and spiritual literature.
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