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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Too much detail
A very interesting book about a real life woman of fame and what her inner world was like.
I have always been interested in Sisi. I have been to many of the places in her history.
So I can say:
Love the writing-and the story- and even more – love the “connection” to Sisi.
Definitely a great read!
Best book ever!!
I haven’t read this book yet, but I am looking forward to it. It is a recent purchase.
This book was a pick for my book club and I was initially uninterested but as soon as I started reading it, I was immediately sucked into the story and I loved the historical aspect. I think anyone would enjoy this book
Learned a lot about the rulers. Have visited some of the areas where it took place.
An interesting and informative portrayal of the last royal Hapsburg Empress. A good read and very grounded in the life and times of that era.
VERY GOOD RESEARCH DONE..CHARACTERS CECAME DIMENTIONAL..GAVE INSIGHT INTO THE THE THOUGHTS IN SISIS HEAD…GAV E ONE AN STANDING HOW RESTRICTIVE LIFE COULD BE IN A ROLE MOST WOULD ENVY
Fascinating read…..hated to put it down. Filled with historical details!
Well researched and written. A true view of the Austrian Royal Family and their inter-relationships with the European Royalty at the time leading to the Great War.
This is why I don’t like many historical fiction books. Way too much guessing about what Sisi thought and felt.
Way over the top as far as the romantic scenes go!
Wonderful historical novel within a mostly accurate context
Having visited the palaces, I enjoyed learning more about the Hapsburg family and the lively Sisi. The story was well written combining facts with imagination.
We are visiting Budapest and Vienna later this summer and I wanted a novel that would help me understand the history of that area better. This was the perfect choice. Thoroughly enjoyed reading about the beautiful empress and the time period leads toward the beginning of WW1. Can’t wait to see where Sisi lived and traveled!
This was a romance novel, happily ever after love, love you forever, with a bit of history thrown in.
This is about yet another royal in the Hapsburg family just prior to World War 1.
Sisi is the empress of Hungary and Austria. She is unhappy in her marriage as she mistakenly believed that she was marrying for love. Once Emperor Franz Ferdinand began to have mistresses she became very unhappy.
She love horse back riding and hunting (in the fox hunting sense). She was spoiled and indulged with estates and horses and freedom from responsibilities for years.
Eventually she has a daughter later in life and decides she will raise this child. She avoids Vienna and goes hither and yon. She has strong friendships with men for years at a time, each of which she must eventually let go. She is unhappy and feels isolated.
There are many people in Austria that dislike her, but many in Hungary and other countries that admire her. She is very human – a very flawed person.
But she has a role and context in European history in the years leading up to World War 1 and afterward.
This book adds dimension to your understanding of the ruling families at that time in Europe when everyone was related to everyone else. It will give small insights into the history at that time in Europe & for that reason, it is worth reading.
Sisi’s life amounts to a tragedy due mostly to her own personality and decision making processes. I kept reading hoping that she would find happiness. Sadly All of her happy ties are fleeting and have consequences.
Loved seeing historical characters from their possible inside view. Enjoy making history alive.
A really good read, I have the first one too – great novel about a queen who doesn’t live happily ever after and yet manages to make a life for herself.