This collection of 28 works by the occult novelist Marie Corelli was donated from the estate of James G. Moody of Te Wharau on 16 March 1972. Several works occur in more than one edition and in more than one copy.
Marie Corelli (1855-1924) was born Mary Mackay, the illegitimate daughter of the Scots poet and songwriter Dr Charles Mackay and his servant Elizabeth Mills. She became a talented pianist, using the name Marie Corelli for performances, but turned to writing romantic fiction using the same pseudonym.
She published her first novel, A Romance of Two Worlds, in 1886. Corelli was prolific, best-selling and widely read in her day, although professional critics criticised her writing style. A recurring theme throughout her books was her attempt to reconcile Christianity with reincarnation, astral projection and other mystical topics. The books became an important part of the foundation of today's New Age religion.
A further six titles about the life of Marie Corelli, also donated from the Moody estate, are in the Alexander Turnbull Library General Collection.
More about Turnbull Formed Collections
The Library’s Wellington building redevelopment
The Library building in Wellington is closed for redevelopment, and due to reopen in August 2012. During the relocation period, some collections will be available at our a reading room at 77 Thorndon Quay, Wellington.
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Most original items in this collection are now unavailable until August 2012.
You may be able to source copies of materials in this collection through other libraries. Our staff can assist you with this.
This collection is catalogued online and may be searched on the National Library Catalogue.
You can see a list of titles held by using the ‘Call Number (Begins with)’ search and by typing in the search term ‘Corelli’.
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