"The Secret Power" by Marie Corelli is a captivating Victorian novel intertwining elements of occultism, supernatural mysteries, and romantic intrigue against the backdrop of Victorian London. At its heart lies a tale of forbidden love and hidden secrets, where the esoteric and the mundane collide in a mesmerizing blend of drama. Set in the atmospheric streets of London, the novel delves into the realms of spiritualism and magic, unveiling the existence of a secret society with mystical powers. As the protagonist navigates through this world of enigmatic forces, they find themselves entangled in a web of psychic phenomena and unearthly occurrences. Amidst the allure of the occult and the pursuit of enlightenment, love blossoms amidst the shadows of secrecy and intrigue. The narrative unfolds with suspenseful twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they unravel the mysteries shrouding the characters' destinies. Through Corelli's vivid prose, readers are transported to a bygone era filled with intrigue and magic, where the boundaries between the seen and the unseen blur, and the quest for enlightenment leads to unexpected revelations and profound transformations.
Marie Corelli can be considered the best-selling author of the Victorian era. She may even be considered the first ever best-seller. She sold a greater number of books than both Arthur Conan Doyle and Rudyard Kipling put together. She was so renowned that calendars were sold with citations from her books, and a series of postcards representing her could be purchased by her devoted readership. Everybody read Corelli's books, from the most basic shopgirl to Oscar Wilde and Queen Victoria herself. A Romance of Two Worlds, her first book, was distributed in 1886, and it turned her into a best-selling author in England and one of the favourites of Queen Victoria herself, who ended up ordering the complete collection of Marie's books. Despite the severe criticism, her books often managed to break sales records. Marie was the only writer asked to attend the coronation of Edward VII. Marie Corelli's books are inspired, magical, and philosophical. She volunteered to cure the universe's social ills. Among her best works are Barabbas (1893), Thelma (1887), The Expert Christian (1900), Wormwood (1890), The Mystery Power (1921), The Distresses of Satan (1895), The Existence Never-ending (1911), and Transient Power (1902). After World War I, her books were viewed as obsolete, and both interest and sales declined. She passed away in 1924.
