Innocent : her fancy and his fact   By: Marie Corelli (1855-1924)

Innocent: Her Fancy and His Fact by Marie Corelli is a captivating tale that offers a thought-provoking exploration of love, morality, and the complexities of human nature. Set in the late 19th century, the novel introduces readers to the two main characters, the innocent and naïve heroine, Maryllia Vaux, and Godwin Bracknell, a renowned journalist whose cynicism and disillusionment with society drive him to question the very nature of love.

The story begins with Maryllia, a wealthy heiress who is sheltered from the harsh realities of the outside world. She possesses a vivid imagination, immersing herself in her romantic fantasies, and harbors an unwavering belief in the power of love. Despite leading a seemingly idyllic life, Maryllia longs for true love, desperately seeking a connection that transcends societal norms and expectations.

Enter Godwin Bracknell, a jaded journalist with a hardened heart. He is a stark contrast to Maryllia, with his cynical views on love and the disillusionment that permeates his existence. When these two vastly different individuals cross paths, their lives take an unexpected turn, setting in motion a thought-provoking journey that challenges their beliefs and perceptions of love.

Marie Corelli skillfully crafts a narrative that intertwines the romance between Maryllia and Godwin with thought-provoking social commentary. Through her intricate character development, Corelli delves into the complexities of human nature, exposing the flaws and limitations of societal conventions that often hinder genuine connections.

Moreover, the author employs vivid prose and descriptive settings, bringing the late 19th-century world to life. From the grandeur of Maryllia's estate to the somberness of Bracknell's journalistic pursuits, readers are immersed in a richly detailed and atmospheric world.

Innocent: Her Fancy and His Fact offers a combination of romance, social critique, and philosophical musings. Corelli presents a compelling exploration of the human condition, highlighting the power of love to transform individuals and challenge preconceived notions.

However, while the novel possesses several strengths, it is not without its flaws. At times, the pacing feels uneven, and certain sections may appear overly drawn out. Additionally, the dichotomy between Maryllia's innocence and Godwin's skepticism occasionally verges on the extreme, leaving some readers longing for more nuanced character development.

Nevertheless, Marie Corelli's Innocent: Her Fancy and His Fact remains an engaging read that leaves readers pondering the complexities of love, morality, and the human experience. This thought-provoking novel showcases Corelli's literary prowess and her ability to intertwine romance with profound social commentary. Overall, it is a recommended book for those seeking a blend of Victorian romance and philosophical introspection.

First Page:

The old by road went rambling down into a dell of deep green shadow. It was a reprobate of a road, a vagrant of the land, having long ago wandered out of straight and even courses and taken to meandering aimlessly into many ruts and furrows under arching trees, which in wet weather poured their weight of dripping rain upon it and made it little more than a mud pool. Between straggling bushes of elder and hazel, blackberry and thorn, it made its solitary shambling way, so sunken into itself with long disuse that neither to the right nor to the left of it could anything be seen of the surrounding country. Hidden behind the intervening foliage on either hand were rich pastures and ploughed fields, but with these the old road had nothing in common. There were many things better suited to its nature, such as the melodious notes of the birds which made their homes year after year amid its bordering thickets, or the gathering together in springtime of thousands of primroses, whose pale, small, elfin faces peeped out from every mossy corner, or the scent of secret violets in the grass, filling the air with the delicate sweetness of a breathing made warm by the April sun... Continue reading book >>