Elisabeth, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary
A fascinating account of Elisabeth’s life in a historical novel by Clara Tschudi, here in an authorized translation from the Norwegian by E. M. Cope.
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From the translator’s preface:
The sketch of the chequered career of Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary cannot fail to interest, and to the many who know but little beyond the details of her tragic death, the accidents of heredity, environment and sorrow, so accurately treated by the authoress, must prove acceptable.
It is but ” the foreground of human life we can examine with any exactness,” and even a pro- founder study of the Empress-Queen than this claims to be, would fail to give more than an ” outline ” of events with which she was connected.
There are some singular points of similarity in the lives of this trio of Empresses of the nineteenth century, for Eugenie of France, Augusta of Germany and Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary were all acquainted with the horrors of war, and inspired by noble self-denial to aid personally in tending the sick and wounded, as well as to organise substantial relief during disastrous outbreaks of cholera and other epidemics.
Each had to bear the poignant anguish of losing an only son, and to experience in countless ways the powerlessness of an Imperial crown to confer happiness on the wearer.
The present monograph, however, is not all tragedy, and many amusing episodes are related which arose out of the incognito of the Empress during her travels.
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Pour yourself a glass of good wine and read this gripping story of shattered innocence, political intrigue, and true love until the tragic end – right here on this page:
Image courtesy of Square-Head. Thank you.
Achim Thiemermann aka Chef Keem is a German-born chef and musician, since 1981 residing in Austin, Texas. As a pop music composer during the 1970's, Achim collaborated with Michael Kunze on a number of musical projects. He considers Michael as the most influential professional mentor of his life, as well as a dear personal friend.