Modern Priestess of Isis (1895)

In this translation of Solovyoff’s work, the translator, Walter Leaf, expresses his sense of the extreme literary ability with which Solovyoff has drawn his picture. In his case, which he believed was felt by others, Solovyoff has rather raised than lowered the opinion of Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. That she was an arch impostor was known before, but Leaf’s slight acquaintance with her had not enabled him to grasp the secret of the fascination which she exercised over so many of those with whom she came in contact. Still less could the fabulous stories of her admirers explain the riddle. In translating the Modern Priestess of Isis, he felt for the first time that he could see her as a human being, and to some extent sympathize with her in the troubles, the self-made troubles, of her unique career. Whether Solovyoff’s story be true or no, Leaf had no doubt of its substantial truth and Mr. Solovyoff has at all events given us a psychological study of extraordinary interest.