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Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
The Dial Press (2016), 464 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER � For readers of Philippa Gregory, Paula McLain, and Daisy Goodwin comes a sweeping and powerful novel by Allison Pataki. Sisi tells the little-known story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, the Princess Diana of her time, in an enthralling work of historical fiction that is also a gripping page-turner. 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 grows restless. A free-spirited wanderer, she finds solace at her estate outside Budapest. There she rides her beloved horses and enjoys visits from the Hungarian statesman Count Andr�ssy, the man with whom she�s unwittingly fallen in love. But tragic news brings Sisi out 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, Sisi 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. Praise for Sisi �Pataki successfully juggles numerous political and personal plot lines while maintaining her focus on a fascinating central character. . . . Readers of Pataki�s first book will want to know the rest of Sisi�s story, but this novel stands on its own for historical fiction fans.��Library Journal �A deeply moving book about a complex character.��BookPage �A satisfying saga of the late Habsburg period.��Kirkus Reviews �Pataki brings richness and relevance to the story of the woman who worked tirelessly to protect the face of an empire.��Publishers Weekly �Pataki simply stuns me with each new book. I savor each page. Sisi is her best yet!��Kathie Lee Gifford �Readers will enjoy the glorious dilemma of whether to turn the pages swiftly, breathlessly following Empress Sisi from one astonishing, heartbreaking adventure to the next, or to linger and luxuriate in Pataki�s vivid, sumptuous descriptions of the Habsburg court.��Jennifer Chiaverini, New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Lincoln�s Dressmaker �This entire novel is irresistible�completely impossible to put down! Pataki reimagines the reign of the nineteenth-century Princess Diana in this stunning book.��Michelle Moran, internationally bestselling author of Rebel Queen �Emotional, exuberant,...… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member JRuel
I was a bit disappointed in this book. I love the historical Sissi, and Ms. Pataki portrays her with such modern eyes that the interactions between the characters are almost unrealistic. The language is uneven, sometimes way too colloquial, sometimes ridiculous, as if a teenager was trying to
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imagine how royals spoke in the 19th century. I had a major problem with her characterizing Marie Larisch as some backwater upstart, when she was Sissi's proper niece, her older brother's daughter. And Sissi being addressed as "Empress" instead of "Your Majesty" made me tick. Overall, it's way too soapy for my tastes, but is an entertaining romance read if one is not to picky on historical accuracy. Show Less
LibraryThing member hobbitprincess
Being a lover of historical fiction, I was eager to read this novel. I'm glad I did, for it has all the traits of historical fiction that I love the most. The story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary is interesting just looking at the historical records, but Pataki has made the story come
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alive. I didn't know much about the Empress, other than as a name in the past, but I learned plenty after reading the book. I was pleased to see the author's notes on historic details at the end of the book, but I was inspired to do my own research, so I already knew how closely Pataki had followed history. I can't count the times I put the book down, pulled out my phone, and Googled different characters, especially finding images that matched the descriptions written. To me this is the mark of an excellent work of historical fiction - it inspires the reader to dig for more. The story is interesting and never tedious, and in the end, I felt like I knew the Empress. Show Less
LibraryThing member cyandron
I found the story to be somewhat bland and unbelievable. Not that I think the things in the books didn't happen, but how she reacted and always came out blameless is just not believable. Meh.
LibraryThing member karmabodhi
Sisi is a very memorable character. Her fieriness, independent streak, and intelligence make her a very intriguing woman to follow the exploits of, and the end of the novel leaves you wanting more. I would highly recommend this novel to historical fiction enthusiasts.
LibraryThing member Shuffy2
Family, love, power, or freedom… What does what does the Empress of Austria-Hungary value most in life?
Empress Elizabeth, or Sisi, wants to distance herself from palace life and raise her daughter free from the rigid rules of royal expectations and protocol. She likes to ride and hunt, spending
I did not read the prequel, The Accidental Empress but the book can stand alone without it; I was already familiar with her life so it was easy to understand what her earlier life was like. I did struggle a bit with the role of the other key characters. The book starts out centering on her relationship with her youngest daughter Valerie but is soon merely alluded to for the next two hundred pages or so; based on the beginning, I thought she would play a bigger role throughout. Also her love interests always seem one step removed, at arms length both from her and from the reader. I was also a bit confused by the prologue which attempts an ominous intrigue that has nothing to do with the story until the very end. It felt very disconnected. As it is based on the life of a real person, I am glad the author stuck to facts however I wanted more passion… more intrigue… more feeling. It was well written, it held my attention but it did not leave me wanting more.
Empress Elizabeth, or Sisi, wants to distance herself from palace life and raise her daughter free from the rigid rules of royal expectations and protocol. She likes to ride and hunt, spending
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time around her country estate outside of Budapest rather than at court in Vienna. She loves her husband but feels passion for Count Andrassy and Bay Middleton. In short, she is bored and needs excitement that state dinners and the Court Theater could not offer.I did not read the prequel, The Accidental Empress but the book can stand alone without it; I was already familiar with her life so it was easy to understand what her earlier life was like. I did struggle a bit with the role of the other key characters. The book starts out centering on her relationship with her youngest daughter Valerie but is soon merely alluded to for the next two hundred pages or so; based on the beginning, I thought she would play a bigger role throughout. Also her love interests always seem one step removed, at arms length both from her and from the reader. I was also a bit confused by the prologue which attempts an ominous intrigue that has nothing to do with the story until the very end. It felt very disconnected. As it is based on the life of a real person, I am glad the author stuck to facts however I wanted more passion… more intrigue… more feeling. It was well written, it held my attention but it did not leave me wanting more.
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LibraryThing member librisalexandria
I have enjoyed this book like no other. I took me to Europe of the 19th century through the eyes of Sisi, Empress Elizabeth of Austro-Hungary. The imagery, the differing moods, the lyricism, makes for a wonderful historical novel. I met "mad" king Ludwig II in his enchanting Neuschwanstein castle,
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Franz Josef, Crown Price Rudolf, Baroness Vetsera. I visited Mayerling and galloped at breakneck speed through the country side of Hungary, Austria, England, Ireland. I followed the murderer stalking his victim in ominous mini chapters, aptly placed chronologically and parallel to the development of Sisi's life. The only problem with this book is that, like everything else, it has an end. But I can always read it again. Show Less
LibraryThing member Renz0808
Sisi by Allison Pataki is about Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary. I have always been fascinated with Sisi ever since I went to Vienna a few years ago and saw the exhibit at the Hofburg Palace. I have read a few biographies about her and Franz Joseph. I find them both to be very interesting
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people. So I was very excited to read this book. This is the second book written by Allison Pataki about Sisi’s life. This book deals with the second half of her life. I have not read the Accidental Empress but I would like to in the future. I know that a lot of the reviews are very mixed about this book. I thought that it was pretty good. I understand how hard it is to write a historical fiction novel about people who are real because there is so much to interpret as to their motivations for historical events. I thought that the tone of Sisi was very melancholy and dramatic and after 400 pages of it I can see why a lot of people didn’t like it. I thought it was a pretty good representation of her life depicting what her emotions would have been like. Considering how very sad and dramatic her life story is I am not surprised the book was written in this tone. Overall, this book isn’t for everyone. A lot of people will find the story to dramatic and lengthy. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Sisi’s life. Show Less
LibraryThing member lauriebrown54
Sisi- the Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary- was raised in a loose, informal manner. Her father, the Duke of Bavaria, tended to escape from his duties. So it’s not surprising that when Sisi married into the Austrian court, she would be appalled by the stiffness of the court which was run by
Her marriage was not arranged; the Emperor Franz Joseph I was supposed to marry Sisi’s older sister, but when Sisi accompanied her sister to meet her fiancé, the Emperor fell madly in love with Sisi and refused to marry the sister. Sadly, this love did not prevent him from having many affairs; finally, when Sisi found he was attracted to an actress, she invited the woman to court and found she was acceptable. The actress remained a welcome part of the family circle for years.
Sisi had little to do with the raising of her older children; her mother-in-law kept the children from Sisi and raised them herself. Sisi managed to keep her youngest daughter with her, raising her mainly outside of the capital. But she did not have an understanding relationship with even this child; she seemed completely surprised that the girl was not identical to herself and actually had a mind and will of her own.
Sisi was considered by many to be the most beautiful woman in the world. Her beauty was important to her; in a position where very little was under her control and where her own life was largely dictated by custom, she took near fanatical control of her own body. She exercised to extreme to keep her weight down in a form of anorexia, wore leather corsets to shrink her waist dramatically, was sewn into her clothing each day, took three hours a day with her hair, and used many beauty treatments. She was not a woman who would have aged happily had she lived longer.
The book has a very slow pace and a dark feeling throughout. There is such sadness in Sisi’s need to escape Vienna and her marriage. She had wealth and beauty but no freedom. I have conflicting feelings about her; sympathy for her situation but dislike for her not being more involved with her children after she broke her mother-in-law’s vise grip. She comes off as self-centered and, frankly, a bit boring most of the time. There is a lot of lush detail and historical fact; it was a pleasant read but not earthshaking.
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rule and custom and allowed no free expression. Possibly the most formal court around, custom even said that no one could talk or eat before the Emperor, making meals miserable. There was a secret way of folding the napkins for the royal table! She suffered from a toxic mother-in-law who did not like her, and who micro-managed her son’s life (and then those of her grandchildren). Sisi ended up escaping from court as much as possible, taking long vacations out of the country. While she was beautiful and there was a cult of Sisi among the people, the press vilified her for not attending to her royal duties. Her marriage was not arranged; the Emperor Franz Joseph I was supposed to marry Sisi’s older sister, but when Sisi accompanied her sister to meet her fiancé, the Emperor fell madly in love with Sisi and refused to marry the sister. Sadly, this love did not prevent him from having many affairs; finally, when Sisi found he was attracted to an actress, she invited the woman to court and found she was acceptable. The actress remained a welcome part of the family circle for years.
Sisi had little to do with the raising of her older children; her mother-in-law kept the children from Sisi and raised them herself. Sisi managed to keep her youngest daughter with her, raising her mainly outside of the capital. But she did not have an understanding relationship with even this child; she seemed completely surprised that the girl was not identical to herself and actually had a mind and will of her own.
Sisi was considered by many to be the most beautiful woman in the world. Her beauty was important to her; in a position where very little was under her control and where her own life was largely dictated by custom, she took near fanatical control of her own body. She exercised to extreme to keep her weight down in a form of anorexia, wore leather corsets to shrink her waist dramatically, was sewn into her clothing each day, took three hours a day with her hair, and used many beauty treatments. She was not a woman who would have aged happily had she lived longer.
The book has a very slow pace and a dark feeling throughout. There is such sadness in Sisi’s need to escape Vienna and her marriage. She had wealth and beauty but no freedom. I have conflicting feelings about her; sympathy for her situation but dislike for her not being more involved with her children after she broke her mother-in-law’s vise grip. She comes off as self-centered and, frankly, a bit boring most of the time. There is a lot of lush detail and historical fact; it was a pleasant read but not earthshaking.
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LibraryThing member Nicole_Russell
Written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
A wonderfully written royal historical novel. I had not read the previous book in the series. The book picks up shortly after Sisi has given birth to her third child, the one she refuses to be raised by her mother in law. Interspersed are vignettes of the
A wonderfully written royal historical novel. I had not read the previous book in the series. The book picks up shortly after Sisi has given birth to her third child, the one she refuses to be raised by her mother in law. Interspersed are vignettes of the
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future, insight into the perspective of the man who plans to assassinate her. I admire Sisi's determination and independent streak, damn the protocol of the Austrian Imperial family. A great read for those who enjoy historical fiction written by Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory, and Jean Plaidy. Show Less
LibraryThing member myoldkyhome
I love historic fiction and Sisi certainly didn't disappoint. Although it is fiction Allison Pataki obviously did a tremendous amount of research for this novel. Sisi is well written drawing the reader in and making her want to learn more about the empress of Austria-Hungary. Pataki know how to
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make history interesting. Great book! Show Less
LibraryThing member jsprenger
I am a historical fiction fan, and enjoyed this story from beginning to end. Prior to reading this story, I was not familiar with the Empress Sisi. I enjoyed Sisi's travels, and ached with her struggles with the Austrian court, her husband's strict adherence to protocol, and her restlessness. Based
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on real life events, I found it difficult to be sympathetic to her struggles--she always took off when things got too tough for her in Austria. For those who love historical fiction, European royal families and intrigue, this book will keep you engaged until the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member HeathernJeff
I haven't read this book all the way through yet but what I have read already is intriguing. Since this is an unedited version it is taking me a little longer to finish than most of my books do. I can strongly relate to the battles that Sisi has with herself. Her maternal instincts have been
Finally finished the book. I can now say that the ending came to me as a surprise. But I found comfort in knowing that all those struggles that Sisi had to endure were finally over. I enjoyed reading every single page of this book. I found early on that I related to Sisi and her feelings. I related to the hardships she faced. Overall, even as an unedited version of the book, I loved it. And I would recommend that everyone read it.
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overshadowed by another human being leaving Sisi feeling as though she never mothered her other two children. I am waiting to see if she rekindled those relationships with her children. And what she decided to do about her husband and the man she really loved. I will be updating this as soon as I finish the book.Finally finished the book. I can now say that the ending came to me as a surprise. But I found comfort in knowing that all those struggles that Sisi had to endure were finally over. I enjoyed reading every single page of this book. I found early on that I related to Sisi and her feelings. I related to the hardships she faced. Overall, even as an unedited version of the book, I loved it. And I would recommend that everyone read it.
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LibraryThing member Daffydownd1lly
I was completely absorbed by this book, from beginning to end. I loved the descriptions of the places Sisi visited, including Neuschwanstein Castle, Hungary and England. This book encompassed much of the Austria-Hungary history including the World Exposition in Vienna and meetings and feuds with
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rulers of the other great European countries. The descriptions of the palace, of the daily life and even the details of Sisi's daily grooming and dressing habits were very interesting. One of the best historical fiction books I have ever read. Show Less
LibraryThing member LaBibliophille
Oh those crazy Habsburgs! And Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary, also known as Sisi, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph, is one of the craziest. Vain, flighty, self-involved, and seemingly suffering from anorexia, she is extremely unhappy in her role as Empress.
Instead of trying to do her job,
For the most part, Sisi ignores her children, with the exception of her youngest, whom she smothers with utter care and affection.
That said, this is a very interesting work of historical fiction. With the emphasis on fiction. As with all these works, there is so much that can only be surmised by the author. There are lots of longing glances between Sisi and the men she crushes on. She actually acts much like a teenager, rather than a grown woman and mother. And the dialog, of course, is invented by the author.
I did enjoy this book and finished it rather quickly. I would recommend reading the end notes before reading the book. That way, the reader will have a better idea of what is actually in the historical record and what are the musings of the author.
Instead of trying to do her job,
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she spends most of her time, even while in Vienna at the side of her husband, escaping from reality. She travels with a hairdresser, who spends hours each day creating elaborate hairdos from Sisi's floor length tresses. That these hairstyles give her headaches, and that her tight corsets make her ill, doesn't seem to be of any concern. For the most part, Sisi ignores her children, with the exception of her youngest, whom she smothers with utter care and affection.
That said, this is a very interesting work of historical fiction. With the emphasis on fiction. As with all these works, there is so much that can only be surmised by the author. There are lots of longing glances between Sisi and the men she crushes on. She actually acts much like a teenager, rather than a grown woman and mother. And the dialog, of course, is invented by the author.
I did enjoy this book and finished it rather quickly. I would recommend reading the end notes before reading the book. That way, the reader will have a better idea of what is actually in the historical record and what are the musings of the author.
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LibraryThing member cattriona
This was an interesting read. Well drawn characters and an engaging story line keep things moving to the end. Though it is historical fiction, it is based on real people, and their true stories offer plenty of intrigue, including murder, suicide, drug addiction and insanity. Highly recommended for
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fans of historical fiction and/or strong female characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jkoch33
Allison Pataki’s novel Sisi is an excellent tale. The author adroitly weaves historical fact with fiction. Pataki demonstrated the myriads of moods Sisi endured. The character is very self- absorbed. She also appeared to be cocooned in despondency and mired in misery. Sisi yearned for something
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elusive, something that was just beyond her grasp and that she could never obtain. She was not happy inside and was denied satisfaction and contentment since she tried to find happiness everywhere else. The person I felt the most empathy for was the beleaguered Emperor Franz Joseph who kept toiling at his tasks with fortitude and responsibility while his wife flitted and escaped her obligations constantly. As a historian I enjoyed the author’s brief note detailing her research. It would be so interesting to read the journals of Sisi. Show Less
LibraryThing member cattriona
This was an interesting read. Well drawn characters and an engaging story line keep things moving to the end. Though it is historical fiction, it is based on real people, and their true stories offer plenty of intrigue, including murder, suicide, drug addiction and insanity. Highly recommended for
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fans of historical fiction and/or strong female characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member horrorbrarian
As a lover of history, I found Sisi to be a delightful romp through Austria-Hungary and the life of the often-misunderstood Empress Sisi. Allison Pataki’s descriptions of the stifling court in Vienna, lush English countryside, and rugged and awe-inspiring hills of Bavaria allowed me to be briefly
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transported into Habsburg life and culture, and when done I was truly disappointed to leave. Show Less
LibraryThing member al.vick
Sis, the empress of Austria-Hungary and wife of Franz Joseph, is a very well written and engaging character. I learned about a place and period of history (Vienna before WWI), that I knew relatively little about, and really enjoyed reading the author's historical note at the end. I really like to
I realized after reading this account of the second half of her life, that Allison Pataki had novelized the first half of the her life in "The Accidental Empress", which I am reading next to get a fuller picture of Sisi's life.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book, and will seek out other books by the author.
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know which events and episodes were real and which were invented by the author. I enjoy getting an intimate look at characters that influenced history, why they did what they did, and how they were a product of their place and time. Sisi is a deeply unhappy woman in her later life, and near the end the story is a bit depressing. There are short snippets from the point of view of her assassin, and while these were an interesting window into what his thoughts might have been, I found that they broke up the narrative of the main story.I realized after reading this account of the second half of her life, that Allison Pataki had novelized the first half of the her life in "The Accidental Empress", which I am reading next to get a fuller picture of Sisi's life.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book, and will seek out other books by the author.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
*I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.*
I was delighted with this follow-up to The Accidential Empress and the completion of Empress Sisi's story, even if I was saddened by her final years and death. Tragedy is the defining term for the last half of Sisi's life, as family,
I was delighted with this follow-up to The Accidential Empress and the completion of Empress Sisi's story, even if I was saddened by her final years and death. Tragedy is the defining term for the last half of Sisi's life, as family,
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politics, and circumstances worked against this empress and her family. I loved the stories of Bavaria's Mad King Ludwig and the actress who became Franz Joseph's mistress through Sisi's encouragement. A good read and one I hope will encourage more attention on the Habsburg monarchy. Show Less
LibraryThing member ashleyk44
I found myself having trouble getting into this one. Firstly, I hadn't realized it's a sequel - and while I think it would stand fairly well on its own, that might have been part of it. Also, being familiar with Sisi's story and knowing exactly where things were going, I just didn't feel compelled
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to keep reading, despite the quality of the writing. I've never really had a problem with historicals based on real figures, but with so many books on my to-read list, I couldn't justify spending the time to read what I already know. Show Less
LibraryThing member Gingersnap000
Once upon a time beautiful noble teenager caught the eye of an Emperor and they lived happily ever after. Unfortunately, Empress Elisabeth of Austria did not live happily.She was a controversial empress who inspired mythology and legend. For Sisi was beautiful but in her case it was not a gift to
Susi's life was tragic and lonely and Allison Pataki tells her story with historic accuracy and extensive research. Historical Fiction genre makes bland historical facts more interesting but in the case of this subject Ms. Pataki told a true story without torrid romance or graphically described scenes of war or sex. Read this book carefully and slowly to soak in all the knowledge.
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be covet.Susi's life was tragic and lonely and Allison Pataki tells her story with historic accuracy and extensive research. Historical Fiction genre makes bland historical facts more interesting but in the case of this subject Ms. Pataki told a true story without torrid romance or graphically described scenes of war or sex. Read this book carefully and slowly to soak in all the knowledge.
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LibraryThing member KatKealy
If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this book. It is very well written and I will definitely be reading Allison Pataki's other books. The story grabbed me right away and I was instantly interested in Empress Elizabeth (Sisi) and her world. I normally read books in the order the
I love historical fiction when it is well written and this book is very well written. Add it to your list if like reading historical fiction centering around the woman's side of the story.
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author releases them, so I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book before reading her others, but I had no problems picking up Sisi's story where it starts and look forward to reading the book it follows.I love historical fiction when it is well written and this book is very well written. Add it to your list if like reading historical fiction centering around the woman's side of the story.
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LibraryThing member bunniehopp
This is a historical fiction about the empress of Austro-Hungary toward the end of the 19th century. Sisi seems very self-centered and selfish throughout. That may be the hazard of being a beautiful, well-born woman. It was an entertaining story and seems to have kept very close to what can be
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proved. The only false notes were the insertions of "threat", that appeared to be scattered sparsely through the novel, without any follow-up or lead-in. Besides being entertaining, the novel introduces some of the realities of being royalty during that period. This is a worthwhile read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Tonstant.Weader
Allison Pataki’s Sisi: Empress on Her Own is an affecting and engrossing historical novel of the beautiful and melancholy Empress Elizabeth of Austria. Married to Franz Joseph, the last of the Hapsburg emperors of Austria-Hungary at the age of fifteen, she was never made for the life of an
Sisi would have been happiest if she had been one of the British landed gentry, part of the horsey set that did not have to stand on ceremony, whose lives were private and whose manners and customs were more relaxed than those of the aristocracy. But that is not her role, she was married to perhaps the most rigid and stolid of the royals, a man disciplined since birth to be a ruler and lived in a society where even the napkin-folds were state secrets.
She had an effusive and loving nature and was denied that, her oldest children’s care wrested from her by a domineering mother-in-law. This had tragic consequences for her son, Rudolph, whose life has been memorialized several times for its tragic end. I have read a few historical biographies of Empress Elizabeth and this novel keeps very much to the historical record. Many of the letters and conversations are direct from primary sources. However, it is a novel and Elizabeth’s thoughts and conversations are from Pataki’s imagination–grounded as they may be in historical record.
Overall, I enjoyed Sisi: Empress on Her Own. I appreciate that it did not wander too far astray from the facts. I also could identify, at times, with Sisi’s frustration and need for escape. I found the language a bit florid and melodramatic at time, more like a historical romance than a historical fiction novel. I also very much disliked the interstices that imagined her assassin’s scheming and preparation. He was mad and he wanted fame. I guess I don’t like giving murderers fame, even more than a hundred years later.
It is historically accurate and I think historical fiction plays a role in drawing people into history to learn more. Her life was consequential and Pataki suggests that history may have evolved differently if Sisi had been a different person. For example, except for her singular innovation to put a halt to the sadistic tutoring her son Rudolph was subjected to as a child, she was a very distant mother figure to her older chidren. Her mother-in-law Sophie has elbowed her out from their birth, but even when Sophie died, she did not try to assert herself in their upbringing. She worried about him, knew he was displaying tendencies we would now identify as sociopathic such as killing animals and she knew he was depressive, though that term was only coming into use then. And she did nothing.
However, her son was a liberal, a reformer, who perhaps if he had felt loved as a child, might have mitigated his father’s conservatism, might have drawn her father toward England and reform rather than toward Russia and Germany and rigidity – and then might have avoided the alliances that led to World War I and, inevitably, to World War II. History is full of “for want of a nail” events, and Rudolph’s story is a tragic, not just on the personal level, but also in the scales of history.
If you like historical fiction and are interested in the personal lives of the dynastic rulers whose lives and decisions had profound effect on our world, you will probably enjoy Sisi: Empress on Her Own. I enjoyed it and it was a fast and pleasurable read, other than moments when the dramatic prose got too rich for me, but then Sisi was a dramatic woman.
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway drawing.
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empress. Sisi would have been happiest if she had been one of the British landed gentry, part of the horsey set that did not have to stand on ceremony, whose lives were private and whose manners and customs were more relaxed than those of the aristocracy. But that is not her role, she was married to perhaps the most rigid and stolid of the royals, a man disciplined since birth to be a ruler and lived in a society where even the napkin-folds were state secrets.
She had an effusive and loving nature and was denied that, her oldest children’s care wrested from her by a domineering mother-in-law. This had tragic consequences for her son, Rudolph, whose life has been memorialized several times for its tragic end. I have read a few historical biographies of Empress Elizabeth and this novel keeps very much to the historical record. Many of the letters and conversations are direct from primary sources. However, it is a novel and Elizabeth’s thoughts and conversations are from Pataki’s imagination–grounded as they may be in historical record.
Overall, I enjoyed Sisi: Empress on Her Own. I appreciate that it did not wander too far astray from the facts. I also could identify, at times, with Sisi’s frustration and need for escape. I found the language a bit florid and melodramatic at time, more like a historical romance than a historical fiction novel. I also very much disliked the interstices that imagined her assassin’s scheming and preparation. He was mad and he wanted fame. I guess I don’t like giving murderers fame, even more than a hundred years later.
It is historically accurate and I think historical fiction plays a role in drawing people into history to learn more. Her life was consequential and Pataki suggests that history may have evolved differently if Sisi had been a different person. For example, except for her singular innovation to put a halt to the sadistic tutoring her son Rudolph was subjected to as a child, she was a very distant mother figure to her older chidren. Her mother-in-law Sophie has elbowed her out from their birth, but even when Sophie died, she did not try to assert herself in their upbringing. She worried about him, knew he was displaying tendencies we would now identify as sociopathic such as killing animals and she knew he was depressive, though that term was only coming into use then. And she did nothing.
However, her son was a liberal, a reformer, who perhaps if he had felt loved as a child, might have mitigated his father’s conservatism, might have drawn her father toward England and reform rather than toward Russia and Germany and rigidity – and then might have avoided the alliances that led to World War I and, inevitably, to World War II. History is full of “for want of a nail” events, and Rudolph’s story is a tragic, not just on the personal level, but also in the scales of history.
If you like historical fiction and are interested in the personal lives of the dynastic rulers whose lives and decisions had profound effect on our world, you will probably enjoy Sisi: Empress on Her Own. I enjoyed it and it was a fast and pleasurable read, other than moments when the dramatic prose got too rich for me, but then Sisi was a dramatic woman.
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway drawing.
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Awards
Illinois Reads (Adult — 2018)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016-03-08
Physical description
464 p.; 6.3 inches
ISBN
0812989058 / 9780812989052