#avoid this book

Elisabeth is reduced to a little pretty thing devoid of personality, who is only seen via the men of her life: Franz-Joseph first, and Gyulia (not Julius!!!) Andrássy later. Will Sissi be defined through Bay Middleton in the already announced sequel? I’m afraid so. The rest a.k.a when Sisi isn’t pining for them is unimportant for the author. If Franz-Joseph or Andrássy (who are equally reduced to a caricature, especially poor Andrássy is your average bodice-ripper cover guy) are not present as guiding stars, then Sisi is worthless. The proof? Her stays in Madeira and Corfú (during which the historical Elisabeth gained confidence in herself) aren’t covered in the book. Just mentioned. Probably because she wasnt’ with her husband or Andrássy.

Goethe is a sort of leitmotiv during the entire book. Strangely enough, there’s no mention of Heinrich Heine, Elisabeth’s favorite poet (whom she worshipped). 

Political/historical context is equally dumbed down. Of the kind of Sisi making the comment “Oh I’m sorry about Italy” (she should be a little more concerned since she had a sister there). Franz-Joseph’s brothers are  erased from the novel, according to the author, “as they played only minor roles  in the life of Sisi”. I would rather have read about Maximilian and his tragic death (that’s why Sophie, devastated, decided to withdraw from public life, and not because she was an old, drunk bitch like in this novel) than pages and pages of Sisi’s neverending whining.

Sisi’s family isn’t spared: her brother Ludwig Wilhelm (a.k.a. Louis), who renounced to his righs as firstborn to marry an actress in 1859, is never mentioned. Instead Karl Theodor is mentioned as heir to the Duchy from the first chapter... appart of being horribly written. On the other side, I can’t imagine Ludovika scolding her adored sister Sophie like she does at one point of the novel.