Sisi: Empress on her Own
Book Review - Sisi: Empress on her Own by Allison Pataki
About Sisi: Empress on her Own by Allison Pataki:
Married to Emperor Franz Joseph, Elisabeth—fondly known as Sisi—captures the hearts of her people as their “fairy queen,” but beneath that dazzling persona lives a far more complex figure. In mid-nineteenth-century Vienna, the halls of the Hofburg Palace buzz not only with imperial waltzes and champagne but with temptations, rivals, and cutthroat intrigue. Feeling stifled by strict protocols and a turbulent marriage, Sisi finds solace at her estate outside Budapest, where she rides her beloved horses and enjoys visits from a man with whom she’s unwittingly become enamored. But tragic news brings the empressout of her fragile seclusion, forcing her to return to her capital and a world of gossip, envy, and sorrow where a dangerous fate lurks in the shadows.
Through love affairs and loss, dedication and defiance, Sisi struggles against conflicting desires: to keep her family together, or to flee amid the collapse of her suffocating marriage and the gathering tumult of the First World War. In an age of crumbling monarchies, the empress fights to assert her right to the throne beside her husband, to win the love of her people and the world, and to save an empire. But in the end, can she save herself?
Featuring larger-than-life historic figures such as Bavaria’s “Mad King Ludwig” and the tragic Crown Prince Rudolf, and set against many of Europe’s grandest sites—from Germany’s storied Neuschwanstein Castle to England’s lush shires—Sisi brings to life an extraordinary woman and the romantic, volatile era over which she presided.
Book Review - Sisi: Empress on her Own by Allison Pataki
I first heard about this book when the author spoke at the University Club of Chicago last week. I was hoping to have finished the book prior to her talk...but that didn't happen. I knew surprisingly little about Empress Elizabeth of Austria (think: nineteenth-century Princess Diana), but she has a fascinating story! Empress Elisabeth (fondly known as Sisi) was born in Munich, the Kingdom of Bavaria. She married Franz Joseph I, the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, in 1854. She was often at odds with her mother-in-law who adhered to strict rules of proper court behavior. Sisi was known for her beauty and keen sense of fashion. But she also endured quite a bit of tragedy during her lifetime.
Franz Joseph was a Habsburg. Have you heard of the Habsburg Court? If not, you may want to listen to this podcast. You don't need to know anything about the Habsburgs to enjoy this book, but they are a fascinating family and I enjoyed learning more about them after I finished this book. For more great podcasts on history, visit Footnoting History.
The book is really well written, thoroughly researched, and I was drawn into the story immediately - now I'm reading and researching more about her family because I'm totally fascinated by it all! If you’re looking for a novel with historical accuracy as well as a captivating story about Sisi’s life, then look no further than Sisi: Empress. on Her Own by Allison Pataki.
About Allison Pataki:
Allison Pataki is the New York Times bestselling author of THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST, THE QUEEN’S FORTUNE, THE TRAITOR’S WIFE, THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS, SISI: EMPRESS ON HER OWN, WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS, as well as the nonfiction memoir BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN PLACES and two children’s books, NELLY TAKES NEW YORK and POPPY TAKES PARIS. Allison’s novels have been translated into twenty languages. A former news writer and producer, Allison has written for The New York Times, ABC News, The Huffington Post, USA Today, Fox News and other outlets. She has appeared on The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Good Day New York, Good Day Chicago and MSNBC’s Morning Joe.
Allison graduated Cum Laude from Yale University with a major in English and spent several years in journalism before switching to fiction writing. A member of The Historical Novel Society, Allison lives in New York with her husband and family.
