Marie Corelli was a best-selling author whose 30 books were published from 1886 until a year after her death in 1924. Many of these works are still available today. From an abandoned, illegitimate newborn to Queen Victoria’s favorite author, this is the story of Minnie Mackay’s transformation into Marie Corelli. A lonely child, a lonely woman. Beyond Laughter is a fictional account of Corelli’s private life, based on what little fact is known.