Sisi: Empress on Her Own: A Novel by Allison Pataki (English) Paperback Book

Description: Sisi by Allison Pataki Originally published: New York: Dial Press, 2016. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description A juicy historical novel about one of historys little-known heroines during a volatile period -- 19th century Viennas Habsburg Empress Elizabeth, "Sisi."NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER .A sweeping historical novel that tells the dramatic story of Sisi,the empress of Austria-Hungary who fought for her family, her people, and her empire in a changing world"Irresistible-completely impossible to put down . . . Allison Pataki reimagines the reign of the nineteenth-century Princess Diana in this stunning book."-Michelle Moran, bestselling author of Rebel QueenMarried 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 shes unwittingly become enamored.But tragic news bringsthe 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 empressfights 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 Bavarias "Mad King Ludwig" and the tragic Crown Prince Rudolf, and set against many of Europes grandest sites-from Germanys storied Neuschwanstein Castle to Englands lush shires-Sisi brings to life an extraordinary woman and the romantic, volatile era over which she presided. Author Biography Allison Pataki is the New York Times bestselling author of The Traitors Wife and The Accidental Empress. The daughter of former New York State governor George E. Pataki, she was inspired to write about Sisi by her familys deep roots in the former Habsburg empire of Austria-Hungary. She graduated cum laude from Yale University with a major in English. Pataki is the co-founder of the nonprofit organization ReConnect Hungary, regularly contributes to The Huffington Post and FoxNews.com, and is a member of the Historical Novel Society. She lives in Chicago with her husband and their daughter. Review "[Allison] Pataki successfully juggles numerous political and personal plot lines while maintaining her focus on a fascinating central character. Extensive notes reveal the authors attention to detail and explain where the novel diverges from the historical record. . . . Readers of Patakis first book will want to know the rest of Sisis story, but this novel stands on its own for historical fiction fans."—Library Journal "Sisi is a deeply moving book about a complex character."—BookPage "A satisfying saga of the late Habsburg period."—Kirkus Reviews "Patakis extensive historical research is evident as she deftly explores the complex life of a woman who was both loved and hated by those whom she ruled. . . . Pataki brings richness and relevance to the story of the woman who worked tirelessly to protect the face of an empire."—Publishers Weekly"Allison 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 Allison Patakis vivid, sumptuous descriptions of the Habsburg court."—Jennifer Chiaverini, New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Lincolns 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. Allison Patakis understanding of the Empress Elisabeth is nothing short of miraculous. A must-read."—Lynn Cullen, bestselling author of Mrs. Poe "Sisi delivers on all fronts: intrigue, love triangles, deception, heartbreak, and triumph. This is a wonderful read."—Deeanne Gist, international bestselling author of Tiffany Girl "The tumultuous world of mid-nineteenth-century royalty comes to stunning life in this sweeping novel about the courageous, defiant empress who sought her own survival amid rivalry, betrayal, and tragedy."—C. W. Gortner, internationally bestselling author of The Vatican Princess "From luscious moonlit gardens to sumptuous castles, the settings of Sisi are as dazzling as those of Viennas Imperial Court. Pataki resurrects the unforgettable Empress Elisabeth in a rich and exquisite tragedy of passion and heartbreak—a true tour de force."—Erika Robuck, bestselling author of Hemingways Girl "Beautifully written, meticulously researched, and powerfully evocative, Sisi humanizes one of the great female figures of history."—Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, authors of Americas First Daughter "Allison Pataki has written a nuanced and compelling account of that ever-glamorous heroine, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, immortalized as Sisi. Patakis sublimely readable prose is the perfect vehicle for a tale that spans thirty years and settings from Corfu to Hungary to Ireland. The glamour and the heartache of Sisis life will keep you riveted."—Carol Wallace, author of Leaving Van Gogh Promotional A juicy historical novel about one of historys little-known heroines during a volatile period-19th century Viennas Habsburg Empress Elizabeth, "Sisi." Review Quote "[Allison] Pataki successfully juggles numerous political and personal plot lines while maintaining her focus on a fascinating central character. Extensive notes reveal the authors attention to detail and explain where the novel diverges from the historical record. . . . Readers of Patakis first book will want to know the rest of Sisis story, but this novel stands on its own for historical fiction fans." -- Library Journal Promotional "Headline" A juicy historical novel about one of historys little-known heroines during a volatile period-19th century Viennas Habsburg Empress Elizabeth, "Sisi." Description for Reading Group Guide What an experience this was, diving into the imagined world of an enchanting, elusive, and mercurial empress, one who happens to be beloved the world over. Add to that the company Sisi kept: a dynamic and captivating cast that included the stoic, devoted, and indefatigable emper∨ an idealistic and passionate Hungarian count; a tragic, willful, and drug--addicted crown prince; and a tortured dreamer who reigned from atop his Bavarian cliffs amid otherworldly splendor. And that doesnt even begin to touch on the cast of supporting characters. Ive said it so often as a writer of historical fiction: one truly cannot make this stuff up. One need search no further than the pages of history to find the most extraordinary, most inspiring, most delicious and dramatic story material out of which to mold a narrative. With Sisi and her Habsburg world, I felt that that was the case one hundred times over. Writing this book was an incredibly humbling experience, for many reasons, but particularly because these characters and the events unfolding around them felt so very big. This was the stuff of epic: World War I and Strauss waltzes and Disneyesque castles and the golden age of imperial Vienna and an empress who raced horses and grew her legendary hair to the floor---this was a fairy tale meets a Shakespearean tragedy meets a family soap opera meets an international saga. What cannot be overstated amid all of this drama and grandeur is the impact that these individuals had not only during their own time periods but on the entire course of history. All history books on the Habsburgs should come with the disclaimer "Handle with care." This is heavy, significant, and astonishing material. And it actually happened! Not one of us can truly know what any of these moments must have felt like, for Sisi or for any of the other characters involved. For over a century now, meticulous and expert (and copious) historians have studied these individuals and events and have stitched together a complex and multipronged narrative, culled from the innumerable sources and perspectives made available throughout the years---letters, diaries, eyewitness accounts, newspaper reports, government documents, and more. As a writer of historical fiction, its my great good fortune to be the beneficiary of all of this research and work. The blueprint is there; this history and these individuals become the rich and colorful threads with which to weave my story. With the historical facts and figures as the inspiriting wind at my back, Ive charted one imagined course through this material, offering one fictionalized view of how it might have looked and felt to inhabit these scenes. How it might have felt to walk through these rooms with Sisi and experience these moments, scenes simultaneously so grand and so poignantly intimate. Sisi was an individual who loomed larger than life. Even during her own time, the beloved and controversial empress inspired mythology and legend. Printers spilled incalculable amounts of ink chronicling her comings and goings, her very real trials and her overblown scandals. Crowds turned out by the thousands merely to catch a glimpse of her. Women aspired to dress and fashion their hair à la Sisi. She is one of the rare titans to pass through this world as a relatable and sympathetic mortal while also landing a place alongside the select few whose fates have been forever immortalized in the pantheon of the brightest, most undefinable immortals. How lucky are we, then, as devotees of historical fiction, to get to spend hundreds of pages with her! I could not have asked for a more fascinating, more intriguing, more beguiling leading lady to look to for inspiration. As this is a work of historical fiction, and as Sisi was a figure who inspired tales of both fact and fable, there were times when, for the purposes of plot and pacing, I fictionalized historical details, utilizing the creative license that is afforded to us lucky novelists. Each instance was the result of much deliberation. Determining when and how to take the liberty that the fiction label allows is probably the biggest challenge for me as a writer of historical fiction and one that I must negotiate anew with each topic and novel and scene I tackle. That said, I would have been foolish not to rely heavily on the historical facts in building this narrative of Sisi and her incredible life among the Habsburgs. All of the raw material to produce (what I hope is) a most compelling novel is already right there in the history books. Take the character of Crown Prince Rudolf as an example. There, the history constitutes a tragic and true story of a lost soul and a grisly family disaster. Yes, Sisi did in fact intervene when she learned of her young sons abuse by the sadistic military tutor, Count Leo-pold Gondrecourt. All of the horrifying methods I mention in the novel---Gondrecourts efforts to "strengthen" the crown princes "delicate constitution"---were plucked from the history, and so, too, was the wording of Sisis ultimatum to Franz Joseph: "Gondrecourt goes, or I go." Franz Joseph and Archduchess Sophie saw Gondrecourts measures as necessary and appropriate, but when Sisi learned from palace aides and staffers about the harsh methods being employed and the boys resulting health crisis, she intervened and did in fact replace Gondrecourt with Colonel Joseph Latour. The most troubling moments pertaining to Rudolf throughout this novel are true. He did shoot the wildcat from the zoo in cold blood. Rudolf did fire at and narrowly miss his father while the men were out hunting. Details of the crown princes opium and alcohol abuse, as well as his notorious philandering, come directly from the historical accounts. So, too, do the details regarding the tension that simmered between father and son, made so much worse by Rudolf printing harsh criticisms of his father in the newspaper. Franz Joseph did have his secret police trail his heir, and he was reported to have erupted at his son at times, apparently overheard by others in the palace as shouting, "You are not worthy to be my successor!" When Rudolf took his own life and the life of his lover Mary Vetsera, he left suicide notes for his mother and sister but not his father. Also troubling---as well as incredibly frustrating and confounding---was Sisis apparent refusal to get involved when it became clear just how disturbed her son truly was. After intervening in the young Rudolfs early educational crisis, the empress appears to have remained alarmingly aloof on future matters relating to the prince. She also had virtually no intimate relationship with her elder daughter, Gisela. Whether it was the result of a belief in her own ineffectiveness, a lingering wound from her mother--in--laws initial seizure of the children, her selfishness, her depression, or something else, I cannot know, but I found this aspect of Sisis character tragic and frustrating. She saw the unhappiness of Rudolfs marriage to Stéphanie, and while she had no shortage of criticisms for her sons bride--some of her statements on that topic in the novel are exact quotes---Sisi never tried to help either of them. She maintained that, unlike her mother--in--law, she would not interfere in their domestic sphere. The heartrending irony of this is that Sisi, more similar to Rudolf than any of the other Habsburgs in her sensitive nature and highly complicated temperament, was perhaps the one person who could have understood, and might have helped, her lost son. Unfortunately, the scene involving Sisis callous disregard for Rudolfs gift of Heine letters on her birthday is plucked directly from the history. That night, Sisi was so consumed by the news of her beloved Valeries engagement to Archduke Franz Salvator that she barely acknowledged her sons extremely thoughtful gesture. Rudolf did in fact break into tears that night, the last Christmas Eve he would spend on this earth. Marie Larischs character is hewn directly from the history. Loyal and longtime attendants Ida Ferenczy and Marie Festetics disliked the young woman and bemoaned her presence in the empresss household---a mistrust that would prove tragically prescient when it was discovered that Countess Larisch served as the go--between for Rudolf and Mary Vetsera in their ill--fated trip out to Mayerling to enact their suicide pact. Details of that horrid event are drawn directly from the sources. So, too, are the circumstances after the crown princes death, such as the initial confusion over what exactly had happened, the efforts by the palace to conceal the news that it had in fact been a suicide, and the proliferation of slanderous reports of Sisi as a deranged mother cradling a pillow and cooing to it as if it were a baby. While Sisi was too bereft to join Valerie and Franz Joseph at the crown princes state funeral, she did make a solitary midnight pilgrimage to the Imperial Crypt to visit his tomb, as outlined in this novel. And Franz Joseph did stand by his wife, giving her his staunch support when the press and the court criticized the empress during those dark days of mourning. Sisi was never the same after Rudolf died; in a life filled with much sorrow, this was the blow from which the empress never fully recovered. The son whose troubles Sisi had so often avoided in life became a ghost who remained with her until her own tragic death. I cant help but wonder: How might history have been different if Rudolf had been a more functional and effective member of the Habsburg regime? If he had enjoyed harmonious relationships with his parents and grown into his role in the family? He, who advocated for closeness to England rather than Germany and spoke out for enhanced freedoms and modern reforms and a more liberal society---could Discussion Question for Reading Group Guide 1. The Habsburgs are perhaps most famous for being the family to start World War I when its heir, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in Sarajevo. But the world did not simply erupt into a global conflict overnight. What signs do we see throughout this novel that a major international crisis is looming? 2. What is your favorite thing about seeing the Habsburg Court come to life? Is it the music? The fashion? The court rituals? Discuss the aspects of this time period and setting that you enjoyed learning about. 3. The epigraphs of this novel are Sisi explaining why she is such a compulsive traveler, and her lady--in--waiting describing Sisis perpetual restlessness. What significance does travel play in Sisis life throughout this novel? What are some other forms of escape, literal or symbolic, for the empress? 4. Discuss the three great love interests of Sisis life: Franz Joseph, -Julius Andrassy, and Bay Middleton. How do they each treat her differently? How does Sisi behave differently with each of them? Was any of them the one true love of Sisis life? 5. Were Crown Prince Rudolfs troubled adulthood and tragic death inevitable? What impact did Sisi have on his fate? Would history have been different had Rudolf lived? 6. Sisi is still remembered to this day for her otherworldly beauty. Everyone from the Shah of Persia to the Kaiser of Germany proclaimed admiration for her. Discuss this aspect of her personality. Does Sisis vanity make her unlikable? Is her fixation with her looks in any way understandable? 7. Discuss the character of King Ludwig of Bavaria. What role does Ludwig play in Sisis life? How does Ludwig differ from some of the other monarchs we meet throughout the novel? 8. While at the Archduchess Sophies deathbed, Sisi comes across her mother--in--laws diary and reads various passages that take her back to significant moments in her life and in her problematic relationship with Sophie. Discuss this moment. Did this insight into Sophies feelings change your understanding of her at all? How did this revelation affect Sisi? 9. Sisi often laments the responsibilities of her royal role, fighting against the expectations placed upon her, whereas Franz Joseph is more accepting of his obligations and duties. Do you think Sisi was dealt a difficult hand in life? How would you feel if you were thrust into her place? 10. What would have happened had Sisi not been murdered by anarchist Luigi Luccheni? Would the fate of the Habsburg Empire have been altered? Would Franz Joseph have been different? Would history have played out differently? Excerpt from Book Chapter 1 G Details ISBN0812989333 Author Allison Pataki Short Title SISI Pages 480 Language English ISBN-10 0812989333 ISBN-13 9780812989335 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 813.6 Year 2017 Imprint Random House Inc Subtitle Empress on Her Own: A Novel Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Publication Date 2017-02-07 UK Release Date 2017-02-07 Illustrations 1 MAP AU Release Date 2017-02-07 NZ Release Date 2017-02-07 US Release Date 2017-02-07 Narrator Paul McGann Illustrator Mini Grey Translator R. Kevin Hill Birth 1927 Affiliation Lecturer, University of Fort Hare Position Professor Qualifications J.D. Publisher Random House USA Inc Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. 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