A New York Times bestseller, The Accidental Empress is the “captivating, absorbing, and beautifully told” (Kathleen Grissom).love story of “Sisi” the Austro-Hungarian empress and wife of Emperor Franz Joseph. The year is 1853, and the Habsburgs are Europe’s most powerful ruling family. With his empire stretching from Austria to Russia, from Germany to Italy, Emperor Franz Joseph is young, rich, … Franz Joseph is young, rich, and ready to marry.
Fifteen-year-old Elisabeth, “Sisi,” Duchess of Bavaria, travels to the Habsburg Court with her older sister, who is betrothed to the young emperor. But shortly after her arrival at court, Sisi finds herself in an unexpected dilemma: she has inadvertently fallen for and won the heart of her sister’s groom. Franz Joseph reneges on his earlier proposal and declares his intention to marry Sisi instead.
Thrust onto the throne of Europe’s most treacherous imperial court, Sisi upsets political and familial loyalties in her quest to win, and keep, the love of her emperor, her people, and of the world.
With Pataki’s rich period detail and cast of complex, bewitching characters, The Accidental Empress offers “another absolutely compelling story” (Mary Higgins Clark) with this glimpse into one of history’s most intriguing royal families, shedding new light on the glittering Hapsburg Empire and its most mesmerizing, most beloved “Fairy Queen.”more
A historical novel about the Sisi, the Empress of Austria. First of two books. This is the Austrian empire’s “people’s princess” of the mid-nineteenth century. She reputedly did much to help Hungary gain some independence from Austria by intervening with her husband, the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph. I hadn’t been aware of Sisi until I traveled in Austria and heard about her–she was quite beautiful and won the heart of Franz Joseph when he was supposed to have married her sister! This in-depth book takes you from a young Sisi accompanying her sister to meet Franz Joseph, their whirlwind courtship and marriage, and the troubles that followed. Book 2 is Sisi: Empress on Her Own.
I have never read about the Austrian Empire but love all things royal. Wow! I loved The Accidental Empress. I flew through the almost 500 pages and immediately started the next book, Sisi: Empress on Her Own.
Loved this book, very informative about the Austrian Empire
Although I read the sequel (Sisi) first and came to both with quite a bit of knowledge about the Empress Elizabeth’s life, I found this a very compelling read. Pataki has stayed true – for the most part – to historical fact (she explains her modest deviations in the book’s afterword) and this Empress did have a life full of drama and disappointment.
Elizabeth is just 15 when she comes from Bavaria to accompany her older sister to Vienna, to meet Helene’s future husband, Emperor Franz Joseph. How Elizabeth becomes Franz Joseph’s wife instead is a delightful part of the story. Wide-eyed, naive, and expecting to enjoy the love of her life, Elizabeth instead finds restrictions, tensions (especially with her mother-in-law), and endless court protocol. This reality sets the true foundation of her marriage. The book then tells the story of how she comes to face that reality, the compromises she is willing to make, and the ways in which she achieves enough independence to eventually find some happiness.
Pataki does a wonderful job proposing possible experiences and motivations that lead Elizabeth to become the woman she becomes. It’s a very interesting read and a great setup to the sequel, which I also recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about one of the most fascinating women of 19th century Europe.
This was a wonderfully written book about the Austrian Queen Sissi. Pataki did a great job of writing about a very interesting historical character.
Was a little disappointed with the story. Would have liked a little more historical information instead of bed scenes and disappointments in life with her husband. I am aware in that period wives were not privy to political discussions and info, however, there had to be more that could have been put into the book to hold ones attention.
Kept me interested. Love knowing it’s written by a former local resident
This was an enjoyable book with some history thrown in. The descriptions of the palaces made me want to visit Hungary
Enjoyed this book very much and learned a lot about royalty and the empire at that time. You see the strengths and weakness of the characters and the pressures and sacrifices of being trapped in their roles as public symbols.