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Elisabeth: The Princess Bride, Austria-Hungary, 1853 (The Royal Diaries) | 
 enlarge | Author: Barry Denenberg
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Category: Book
Buy Used: $18.48
New (8) Used (10) from $18.48
Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 412212
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 151
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.7
ISBN: 0439266440
EAN: 9780439266444
ASIN: 0439266440
Publication Date: April 1, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
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 Austri
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 The Lonely Empress March 16, 2003
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
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.
 The People's Princess March 14, 2003
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
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.....
A good new book from The Royal Diaries series. March 14, 2003
Rebecca Herman (USA)
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
Fifteen-year-old Princess Elisabeth, called Sisi, is the daughter of Duke Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria and his wife, Princess Ludovica. She has had a carefree childhood in the Bavarian countryside. She spends as much of her days as possible horseback riding, her favorite pastime. But everything changes in the summer of 1857. Sisi's older sister, Helene, has been chosen to marry their cousin, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. Their mother is taking Helene to meet Franz Joseph, and has decided to take Sisi along in hopes of finding a husband for her as well. But when Franz Joseph meets Helene and Sisi, he decides it is Sisi he wants to marry. Sisi becomes engaged to Franz Joseph, but she is far too young for the responsibilities she suddenly finds herself facing as the future Empress.
This is not one of my favorites from the Royal Diaries series, but it was still a very good book that I recommend to fans of the series. I only wish it could have been a little longer, as Elisabeth's diary is only 93 pages. Also, some parts really could have used more detail.
A "Slice" of Her Life May 18, 2003
Allyn (USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
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.
 You are forbiden to read this book October 28, 2003
5 out of 14 found this review helpful
Elisabeth, the Princess Bride was a huge dissapointment! It shows girls as being worth for nothing more then marriage! I learned nothing about the culture, history, or palace life from this book. All you will learn is Elisabeth is a slave to her husband who was meant for her sister. Elisabeth doesn't even feel bad for her sister, she acts as if she deserved it. She only cares about what her husband thinks. For example:
"My teeth have grown a little yellow, I hope my husband approves.""He has been gone for three days, I can't bear it anymore."
"I have grown a bit more plump since I last saw him and he seems to aprove!"
I mean her life revolves around her stupid husband!If you 're looking for a strong girl to look up to don't read this book.
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