Theos-Talk Archives (May 2002 Message tt00182)

May 21, 2002

Re: Theosophy fictionalized -- Science Fiction ?

Dear Friends:

There may be some who know this field far better than I, but this is
what I have been able to find: over the years I have scanned many
Si-Fi books but never so far found one that seemed to embody
Theosophical themes.

Karma and Reincarnation have been used as ideas but never to any
serious extent. In the time of H P B, Rider Haggard [ SHE, AESHYA,
KING SOLOMON'S MINES ] and Bulwer-Lytton [ZANONI, A STRANGE STORY ]
wrote several books that placed Reincarnation, Psychic sensitivity and
Adeptship before the public.

Both H P B and W. Q. Judge wrote some stories that embody Theosophy,
as history, or as tenets of occultism, as a basis for their narration.

These were published in book form (1942) as THE TELL-TALE PICTURE
GALLERY in Bombay, India. The book includes H P B's NIGHTMARE TALES
(1892). Available from The Theosophy Co. Ltd., 40 New Marine Lines,
Bombay, 400 020, India. Mr. Judge's "stories" were taken from the
magazine the PATH which he published in New York between 1886 and
1895. These stories of his are also to be found reprinted in the 1946
Edn. of LETTERS THAT HAVE HELPED ME, published by the Theosophy
Company, Los Angeles. (Phone: 213-748-7244).

Some of these are "stories" are available on line through Blavatsky
Net at http://www.blavatsky.net

Additionally there exists, published 1975 by the Theosophical
Publishing House, Adyar & Wheaton an almost complete English
translation of H P B's -- FROM THE CAVES AND JUNGLES OF HINDOOSTAN
(1892). These stories relating to her travels in India were
fictionalized by H P B and were written and published in Russia by
several publishers. This book is now rare to find.

I suppose that a number of writers of Si-Fi have borrowed themes and
ideas from H P B, but I am not aware of any that give credit to her
writings as their source.

Best wishes,

Dallas

-----Original Message-----
From: redrosarian [mailto:redrosarian@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 3:04 PM
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Theos-World Science Fiction/Fantasy

Can anyone recommend any good science fiction/fantasy novels based on
theosophy?

Thanks,
MNS




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