Elisabeth: The Princess Bride, Austria-Hungary, 1853 (The Royal Diaries) [Hardcover]

Barry Denenberg (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Royal Diaries

Author Barry Denenberg introduces us to a nineteenth-century Bavarian princess named Elisabeth who at age fifteen is engaged to the emperor of Austria and is swept into an unfamiliar world.

Author Barry Denenberg brings us into the whirlwind that is the life of Princess Elisabeth of Austria. A free and impetuous spirit, Elisabeth was chosen at the tender age of fifteen (over her older sister) to be the wife of Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria. From that moment on, she is thrown into an intimidating world of restrictions and tremendous responsibilities. Feeling lonely and alienated, Elisabeth is forced to rely upon her own personal strength, which is what eventually leads her down the aisle and into an uncertain future.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-Although not one of the most influential European royals, Elisabeth is still a fascinating character. As she begins her diary, the 15-year-old reveals her true passions-the outdoors, her family's home called Possenhofen, poetry, her pets, her father, and horseback riding. The household is in a fury as Helene, Elisabeth's older sister, prepares to meet their cousin Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and her potential spouse. Then Mama decides that Elisabeth will accompany them in order to meet the emperor's younger brother. When they arrive, Franz Joseph pays little attention to his intended, but rather is smitten with Elisabeth and selects her as his bride. She is fraught with confusion, joy, and sorrow for her sister. Once she accepts his offer, the young Elisabeth has much to prepare. Six months later, she travels to Vienna for her wedding and the most dramatic change to her carefree existence. The diary ends there, but the epilogue explains that the marriage was an unhappy one, due primarily to the confining court rituals and the emperor's imposing mother. Historical notes provide further information about the young princess, her travels, her language skills, and her children. Photos and a family tree are also included. Elisabeth is a charming figure from the past, and this book should prove to be an enjoyable read for historical fiction and diary fans.
Alison Grant, West Bloomfield Township Public Library, MI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 151 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; 1 edition (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439266440
• ISBN-13: 978-0439266444
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #413,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The People's Princess, March 13, 2003

By 

"royaldiaryfan2000" (Aston, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elisabeth: The Princess Bride, Austria-Hungary, 1853 (The Royal Diaries) (Hardcover)

I just bought this book ... The cover may be demeaning and well...unattractive, but the book is extroidanary. The characters are so alive, the settings are so real, the serene surrondings of Posenhoffen Castle and the crowded corridors of Hofburg Palace--you feel like you are right there. You sympathize Sisi and her poor sister Helene, you hate Aunt Sophie, and you love Poppy. This book was so good, you get caught up in it and don't realize it's over until you notice this book was shorter than the normal Royal Diaries. I'd say the only disappointments about this book are the cover that shows not even half of Sisi's beauty, and the size.You will not be upset with buying this book and the epilogue, pictures, historical notes, are very excellent editions to this melancholy but also serene story of the beautiful, intelligent young Empress of Austria who left her life behind and suffered a horrible life that was abrupted by a fatal and tragic death. If only Barry Denenberg would continue with the Royal Diaries series.....

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lonely Empress, March 16, 2003

By 

"royaldiaryfan2000" (Aston, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elisabeth: The Princess Bride, Austria-Hungary, 1853 (The Royal Diaries) (Hardcover)

I had recieved an advanced copy of Elisabeth:The Princess Bride in November, 2002 from the author and I just recently bought the book from B&N. Let me just say that the only disappointing part about this diary is that it is cut down to a meager 93 pages of diary, and then has 60 pages of historical info and pictures (although that informtaion is very helpful and revealing of the Austrian court). Elisabeth is the 15 year old daughter of Duke Maximilien and Princess Ludovica, the Duke & Duchess of Bavaria. Life at serene and calm Possenhofen in the Bavarian outskirts of Munich is paradise for Sisi(Elisabeth's nickname). Sisi spends time writing trememendous poems and sonnets, riding her beloved chestnut horse, Punch, and of course spending time with her beloved Poppy. Elisabeth is not your average future empress. She goes around wearing peasant's clothes and frolicking like her Poppy, like a peasant. However, Sisi must tag along with her older sister, Helene, and her mother, Ludovica, when Helene is en route to Bad Ischl to meet and be wed to Emperor Franz Josef of the Holy Roman Empire. However, Franz Josef takes a much more appealing interest in young Elisabeth, and asks for Sisi's hand in marriage! The whirling world that Sisi watched Helene experience as she was preparing to be Empress (even though she wasn't even betrothed yet) suddebly moves onto Sisi. Possenhofen is no longer calming and serene, but a bustling small city-like a beehive. As Sisi prepares for her flight from Posse forever, she suddenly realizes what she is doing and come sout of her day dreams of her future husband. And as she is walking down the aisle to an uncertain future in the last entry, she suddenly realizes the family, friends, pets, home, and life she is leaving behind for a malicious, gossipy court...forever.
The epilogue shows the result of this unconsidered marriage: near-divorce, annorexia, depression, loss of children to her Aunt Sophie and to death, seclusion, obsession, and of course....assassination. This volume was an excellent contribution to this fantastic series of stories of women who shaped the history of the world by their royal powers. No one will be disappointed with buying this book and will leave with knowledge of a lonely and upset Empress, who experiences the same things that teenagers today do...but also so much more.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A "Slice" of Her Life, May 17, 2003

By 

Allyn "pianogirl" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Elisabeth: The Princess Bride, Austria-Hungary, 1853 (The Royal Diaries) (Hardcover)

Free-spirited, beautiful Elisabeth grew up in the lap of luxury as a member of the Austrian nobility in the 1850's. At 16, Elisabeth, her mother, and her 18-year-old sister, Helene, travel to the royal palace of Austria in hopes that Helene might gain the the attention and marriage proposal of Emperor Franz Joseph. However, events at the royal palace do not follow this plan. Smitten with her beauty and charm, Franz Joseph quickly falls in love with Elisabeth instead of Helene. Elisabeth is elated and in love, but must come to grips with "losing" her former life and embracing the changes that lie ahead.

The "whirlwind" pace of Elisabeth's diary expertly shows what it must have been like for the young royal to contemplate marriage. Her conflicting feelings about changes that will be brought about by her marriage are believable and timeless, and her descriptions of her leisurely life, romance with Franz Joseph, and ultimately, her wedding, will be enjoyed by those of us who love a "good fairy tale." As I always say about a royal diary, I enjoy learning about royals that I haven't known about before. Although the epilogue in this book is sad, Royal Diary fans won't want to miss this latest series addition.