The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire (Hardcover)

~ C. M. Mayo (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Epic in scope, Mayo's impressively researched novel set in mid-19th century Mexico City mines the true story of the short turbulent reign of the archduke of Austria, Maximilian von Hapsburg, who was made emperor of Mexico in 1864. Childless and desperate for an heir, the emperor makes substantial monetary promises to the parents of a young boy named Agustin. With much trepidation, they agree to give over the boy, who becomes a pawn in a custody battle that begins when Maximilian adopts the two-year-old Agustin with the hopes of having him inherit the throne. Agustin's American mother, Madame de Iturbide (née Alice Green), soon becomes dissatisfied with the arrangement and pleads with Maximilian to return her son. Maximilian has Alice deported, which sets off an international brawl. Maximilian finally concedes as Mexico devolves into bankruptcy and lawlessness and Maximilian's wife, Carlota, becomes increasingly unmoored. Lengthy, expository, meandering and grandiose, Mayo's reanimation of a crucial period in Mexican history should satisfy history buffs and those in the mood for an engaging story brimming with majestic ambition. (May)
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From Booklist

Mayo resurrects a sad story from the footnotes of history and embroiders the few details known about it into a rich historical novel. By the 1860s, Mexico, although independent from Spain, was in political, social, and financial disarray. Taking advantage of the country’s weakness, France’s emperor, Napoléon III, sent an occupying force to Mexico and installed as puppet ruler the easily manipulated Austrian archduke Maximilian, brother of the Austrian emperor. This novel follows Maximilian’s short-lived career as the unfortunate emperor of Mexico, focusing specifically on the half-Mexican, half-American boy the childless emperor and empress adopted as heir. The cast is large, nearly to the point of confusion, and the narrative suffers from overtelling at the expense of showing, but for the most part, Mayo comfortably blends fiction with fact while illuminating a dark corner of North American history. --Brad Hooper

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Unbridled Books; 1 edition (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193296164X
• ISBN-13: 978-1932961645
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #126,707 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Historical Fiction, May 5, 2009

By	ReaderRabbit - See all my reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed C. M. Mayo's historical fiction The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire. The language was poetic and beautiful and I found myself lingering over this book rather than "gobbling it down." The characters were written with a sense of life and Mayo's style changed accurately with them. The ability to weave a story through the lens of so many social classes and personalities makes it all the more enjoyable to read. I especially enjoyed the differing perspectives on the political situation as it added great background knowledge.
This story follows a strange period of Mexican history, and tells the tale of the political maneuvering which occurred behind the scenes. I was rather unfamiliar with this historical period, but found that Mayo blended the events seamlessly into the story line. Like only the best historical fiction writers can Mayo introduced this period to me and ignited a new interest to learn more!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mexico's Legacy, May 5, 2009

By	S. Agusto-Cox "Savvy Verse & Wit" (Germantown, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

C.M. Mayo takes an in-depth look into one of Mexico's most turbulent times when its government was plagued by invaders (the Yankees and the French), in-fighting, and disease, like yellow fever.

The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by C.M. Mayo and published by Unbridled Books is a historical novel that chronicles the short reign (about 3 years) of Maximilian, the undercurrent of political ambition, the clash of cultures, and internal familial machinations.

The novel opens in Washington, D.C., with Alice Green who meets and falls in love with Angelo de Iturbide, a secretary for the Mexican Legation. They marry and move to Mexico, where Alice (known as Alicia in Mexico) gives birth to their son, Agustín de Iturbide y Green. Leaving the Mexican shores, readers will journey across the Atlantic to Trieste, Italy, to meet Maximilian von Habsburg who reluctantly agrees to become the Emperor of Mexico. There are a number of nuances political and otherwise that can get confusing for readers unfamiliar with some of Mexico's history, but these instances are easily overcome as the story unfolds. It is clear from the use of multiple perspectives in this novel that the main character is not Maximilian, Agustin, Alice, Angelo, the Iturbides, the French invaders under Napoleon III, or the Republican upstarts led by Benito Juarez. The main "character" of this novel is Mexico and its future and how that future is shaped by all of these players, their decisions, and in some cases their indecision.

Mayo is an impeccable researcher and craftswoman who fleshes out historical figures in a way that remains true to their historical actions and creates characters who are well-rounded and memorable for readers. Her ability to juggle multiple points of view is unparalleled--from the perspective of Agustin's nanny to Maximilian himself.

One of the most captivating sections of the novel occurs between pages 147-153 in which Maximilian is preoccupied with matters of state and the Iturbide family's sudden breach of a contract with the emperor with regard to their son Agustin. Mayo weaves in Maximilian's frantic thoughts, rants, and arguments with his physical tossing about in his bed, as he mashes the pillow into submission, kicks off the sheets, and sits upright in bed as he determines the best course of action to save face and depict Mexico as a strong nation.

Readers will agree that her prose is poetic.

Overall, this epic novel, The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire, takes on a convoluted period in Mexico's history and the complicated families ruling or eager to rule in the mid-19th Century. Mayo does exceptionally well with multiple points of view, description, and character development to create a vivid dramatization. The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire would make a great book club selection and discussion.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Emperor Next Door, May 8, 2009

By	Joseph R. Furshong (Helena, Montana) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We spend many years in history classes and most of us end up retaining the major themes and facts of US history, some European major events and a smattering of the rest of the world's story. Of course the 1860s were tumultuous years in America with the Civil War occupying the main stage for five years. But, how many of us are aware that just across the Rio Grande, Mexico was going through a similar upheaval and that the events are fascinating.

C. M. Mayo relates an utterly absorbing story, putting faces, feelings and emotions into a intense, brief episode in Mexican History, when Archduke Maximilian I of Austria reigned as Emperor of Mexico for three years. This seemingly incongruous situation was the result of the bizarre intersection of European and Mexican politics. A group representing the conversative, monarchical movement in Mexico, took advantage of the chaos following the overthrow of Benito Juarez and with French support, offered the crown of Mexico to Maximilian, the younger brother of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria.

The imposition of a European royal court upon the political structure of 19th century Mexico is an interesting story in itself and Mayo tells it well. But, the author narrows her focus further by putting at the center two year old Augustin Iturbide y Green, the "last prince of the Mexican Empire." The childless Maximilian and Carlota decided to identify an "heir presumptive" and in 1865 selected the grandson of Mexico's first "emperor" Augustin Iturbide, as a means to increase acceptance of the struggling monarchy. Young Augustin's parents, Angel Iturbide and his American wife, Alice Green, welcomed the proposed arrangement. In return for this designation, the new heir was to be raised in luxury, educated in the best schools in Europe and groomed to become Maximilian's successor and restore the fortunes of the Iturbide family. But, when the child is actually cut off from all contact with his parents, and his parents forced to leave Mexico, Alice Green Iturbide begins a relentless campaign to reclaim her son, a quest that takes her to the court of Louis Napoleon and to the Vatican. Her quest, and the efforts of Maximilian and Carlota to retain their tottering throne make a spellbinding conclusion to this truly fresh and well-crafted novel.

Satisfying historic fiction contains the best elements of any good novel: excellent writing, strong plot, conflict, believable characters and an interesting setting. C. M. Mayo has brought all of these elements together around an intriguing and completely mesmerizing story. The impact of the novel was very strong and that has led me to read some background articles, do further research and given me some ideas for my next trip to Mexico. Hat off to Ms Mayo for a job well done. I eagerly look forward to her next effort.