The Master Christian

by Marie Corelli

"But," said the Cardinal half aloud, with the gentle dawning of a tender smile brightening the fine firm curve of his lips, -- "it is not the end! The end here, no doubt; -- but the beginning -- there!" He raised his eyes devoutly, and instinctively touched the silver crucifix hanging by its purple ribbon at his breast. The orange-red glow of the sun encompassed him with fiery rings, as though it would fain consume his thin, black-garmented form after the fashion in which flames consumed the martyrs of old, -- the worn figures of mediaeval saints in their half-broken niches stared down upon him stonily, as though they would have said, -- "So we thought, -- even we! -- and for our thoughts and for our creed we suffered willingly, -- yet lo, we have come upon an age of the world in which the people know us not, -- or knowing, laugh us all to scorn."

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

Marie Corelli (born Mary Mackay) was a best-selling British novelist of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, whose controversial works of the time often label her as an early advocate of the New Age movement.

In the 1890’s Marie Corelli’s novels were eagerly devoured by millions in England, America and the colonies. Her readers ranged from Queen Victoria and Gladstone, to the poorest of shop girls. In all she wrote thirty books, the majority of which were phenomenal best sellers. Despite the fact that her novels were either ignored or belittled by the critics, at the height of her success she was the best selling and most highly paid author in England.

She was the daughter of poet, journalist, author, anthologist, novelist, and songwriter Charles Mackay. Her brother was the poet Eric Mackay.

Reviews

[Pat Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie Corelli was a favourite of Queen Victoria. Therefore you might expect this book to be out of touch for 2014. Yet strangely, it isn't.
It follows the fortune of a humble, good man, who also happens to be a Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. The thrust of her story says we should follow the basic teachings of Jesus, to be called Christians.

Marie's skill, I think, lies in her observation. She sees how men act with women, how rich are with poor, how political machinations lie at the heart of power, how actors are adored over virtuous people, how easily each and every person spreads gossip and ruins lives. How easily a man is turned to murder, how brilliance is downtrodden if a woman possesses it. She may have been speaking of her world, but she speaks to ours too.

Being Christian- and Catholic - adds an extra dimension to the reading of this story - but it's worth reading, even if you aren't. Simply for the beautiful observations on the human condition.

My copy was a free electronic one, so you have to be prepared for the fact the editing isn't as good as a current paid one. Get past that and some of the verbosity - and this is a great read - and one that had me hooked.

[Paul Fadoju · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent imagination showing what profess Christians and clergy people should be.

[Dwight Dissinger]

Interesting book by a popular Victorian author with much that is current today. Some aspects of human behavior never change.