This is a truly lively historical biography of a fascinating royal Empress.
The first time that I came across Empress Elisabeth of Austria was in Daisy Goodwin’s novel The Fortune Hunter but it wasn’t until I visited Vienna that I wanted to discover more about this Empress who had as many fans as she did detractors as this biography shows.
Through this lively and engaging biography, Regine Neuhauser really brings her to life her adventurous (and admirable travelling spirit) side and her introverted nature. Just as importantly, it shows her how she was seen by those who knew her intimately and the reader learns of the many different aspects of her personality.
From chapter to chapter, the reader really learns how she developed and changed as a person when various events happened in her personal life and it unfolds in an easy going way that makes sense to those new to the historical era. What takes it to another level is the way in which Sissi’s voice is threaded throughout, giving a strong idea of her thoughts and feelings on marriage, children and politics as well as her role as a whole.
Just like all royal families, there is plenty of drama and tragedy over the years – from her brother -in-lawArchduke Ferdinand Maximilian’s assassination when he was in charge of Mexico or the untimely death of her own son the crown prince Rudolf there was plenty of sorrow in her life and we get a strong understanding of just how deeply it affected her.
On the other side of this, we learn of her passions as well. Not only for her travels which gave her a sense of the freedom that she so desperately desired that led to her increasing isolation from the rest of the court but also for poetry (some off which she wrote is featured in the book) as a means for expressing her innermost feelings. I was fascinated to learn of her passion for all things relating to Greece, a place that she returned to time and time again.
Through her intelligent and clearly deeply researched writing, Regine Neuhauser ensures a fully rounded portrait of this famous if somewhat increasingly illusive empress. Her flaws, her obsession with looking youthful and increasingly morbid thoughts in regards to her own life are dealt with a level of frankness but this is not to say there isn’t a sense of sensitivity as well.
It is also a tight and concisely written biography – never getting too heavy in regards to the politics of the era and ensuring that the information imparted is easy to follow (which isn’t always the case with biographies of this kind) when it does go into it , keeping it relevant to the central topic being covered.
Everything is described vividly that it makes the reader feel like that they are there – a difficult thing to do.
Overall, this is an impressive biography that is an absolute breeze to read and highly recommended (particularly if you go to Vienna and want to do your research on its royal family).
By Emma Clarendon
Empress Elisabeth of Austria: Free Spirit, Beauty Queen, Imperial Legend is available to buy now.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️