Sorrows Of Satan

THE DEVIL AND THE AUTHOR. In " The Sorrows of Satan" there are two characters. One is that of the author of all evil — the traditional enemy of mankind — who is disguised under the title of Prince Lucio Rimanez; the other leading figure is none other than the authoress herself, Marie Corelli, who, like Lucifer, the Son of the Morning, also appears under a disguise. But it is a disguise so transparent, that the wayfaring man, though a fool, could not fail in identifying it. Mavis Clare, whose initials it may be remarked are the same as those of the authoress, represents Marie Corelli's ideal - of what she would like to be, but isn't, what in her more exalted moments she imagines herself to be. Hence in the new cosmogony that is revealed to us in this interesting and remarkable romance, the two representatives of the principles of good and evil are the Devil on one side and Marie Corelli on the other. It is somewhat touching to see this attempt at self-portraiture, for Mavis Clare is made in one respect to be so very different from her original. Mavis Clare did not care a straw about reviewers: the more she was slated the more gaily she laughed; the most venomous review, or the most persistent boycott, never ruffled the smooth serenity of her angelic soul. But poor Marie Corelli, instead of being in the least like her prototype, is all fret and fume and bitterness. She exploded in Idler Magazine shortly after the book was released, and in an article entitled "Barabbas, and After," but that explosion failed to relieve her overwrought feelings, and we have here an excellent conception, almost spoiled by the perpetual iteration of the author's wrath with those who have treated her badly. A considerable section of the book is one long lampoon, spiteful and exaggerated, out of all semblance of truth, upon certain log-rollers, publishers, and critics against whom she had a grudge; but so great were the sorrows of Marie Corelli over her critics that she should have done better with the sorrows of the readers who saw her suffering so much and concealing it so little.