“The” King with Two Faces: In Two Volumes

Published in 1897, The King with Two Faces is the best-known novel by Mary E. Coleridge, a British poet and novelist who moved in prominent intellectual circles including the Bloomsbury Group. The story is a historical fiction work centered on the life of Gustav III of Sweden, blending political intrigue with the psychological depth and romanticism characteristic of late Victorian literature.

The novel was written at a time when Coleridge was establishing herself as a distinct voice in English letters. It was well-received by her contemporaries, including critics who praised her fluid narrative style and her ability to weave complex historical detail into a compelling, character-driven plot. Since its initial release, it has remained a point of interest for scholars of late 19th-century literature and historical fiction.