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 … 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 Andrássy, 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, masterly, Sisi swept me into the glittering, treacherous world of the waning Habsburg empire. A must-read.”—Lynn Cullen, bestselling author of Mrs. Poe
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I loved this series! I read The Accidental Empress and Sisi back to back and was captivated by Sisi’s story. I also enjoyed the long author’s note at the end!
Pataki delivers a masterpiece of historical fiction based on the life of Empress Elizabeth of the Austria (nickname “Sisi”). Married at just 16, and at the time, deeply in love with her husband, Franz Joseph, Sisi soon finds herself isolated by her husband’s obsessive commitment to duty and a strong-willed mother-in-law who makes all the domestic decisions. Sisi isn’t even allowed to raise her own children.
This novel is a sequel to the book, The Accidental Empress, which I have not YET read. (I WILL now read the first one now.) It begins with Sisi already married. I was delighted and impressed by Pataki’s mature, thoughtful, and well-researched take on this fascinating historical figure, with stories of time spent with Tsars, German emperors, Queen Victoria and prominent artistic figures of Vienna in her day.
As Pataki herself notes in her Author’s Notes at the end of the book — history is full of more REAL drama than an any author can conjure. And these same notes illustrate how well-documented the events of the book are. Even some of the Dialog.
This is a fast-paced read — detailing so many aspects of Sisi’s life — including the drudgery of stiff court protocol, her complex relationship with her tragic son Prince Rudolph, and her continual travel and wandering in later years. In essence, she was simply a young woman whose sensitive nature made her a bad fit for Royal life. Which is a tragedy in itself and makes for a great story.
I loved this book!
I read it before visiting Vienna and Budapest. It made my trip much more excitying.
If you are truly interested in the real historical story of how the Royal family married and how tragic it was that the problems of some semi- country in 1914 got into World War I, then this book should hold your interest. It’s not all about the war but more about more the story of Queen Elizabeth (nicknamed Sisi) and her marriage and their troubled marriage and family which indirectly caused the assasination of King Franz Ferdinand and how it blew up to be a world war.
According to family lore, an ancestor of mine was one of Sissi’s ladies in waiting. Whether that is true or not, who knows. Patik’s book provides a complete, unbiased look at the young noblewoman who became the first Empress of Austria.
Unlike Ernst Marischka’s Sissy, played by Romy Schneider, Patik’s version loses the halcyon, sugar water persona, and is shown to be a woman of substance. Not naive or vain as some historians and travel writers claim, but a flesh and blood woman,with the same anxieties as mothers and married women the world over.
A great read.
Beautifully written book about a woman who tried to conform to her role as empress. not a very happy life.
Very few books send mre to the internet let alone many times. Great true story.
Really places you in that time period of history.
If you have ever been to Austria, I am sure you have seen pictures of Empress Elizabeth, her long flowing hair encrusted with diamonds. This is a lovely yet soft rendering of her life as empress.
Interesting historical. novel about an extraordinarily vapidwoman. Made me glad that the age of royalty is long gone
A little disappointing, The woman was a major player in the politics of the late 19th century – in one of the most important empires in the world at that time. Ahd all they talk about is her love life, and her children.
Seemed like a good story, but not very realistic compared to actual history.
This is the second book I have read about SiSi. She is a fascinating woman ahead of her time and with an indomitable spirit. She resisted and successfully manage to carve out a full like amid the restrictive, unrelenting formalities of the Hapsburg court. The author’s narrative is very sympathetic to SiSi. I do wish she had shown more of the suffering she caused others because of her behavior, especially her children.
Wonderful piece of historical fiction. I enjoyed every minute of it.
I found Sisi to be a very vain, selfish person who was only too glad to take all the adventages of her position but resented fullfiling any of the duties or taking responsibility for her actions. No wonder the Monarchies fell.
Great work to read if you are into Historical Fiction–well researched
Excellent historical fiction about the Empress of Austria
Very true to history, I really appreciate that. Wonderful story. So much tragedy for the Empress. Having traveled and seen King Ludwig’s castle, the vivid writing really described the country and castles. I have been looking for a book telling Sisi’s story and I have found it. Loved it!
After visiting Vienna I was curious and wanted to know more about Habsburg’s…..this book is pretty good,easy to read and entertaining at the same time.