Book Review: The Accidental Empress

One more thing I'm getting back in the habit of since having a baby, is reading before going to sleep.  I've always been a bit of a book worm, but that first year with a baby, well exhaustion always takes over and my eyes close before I can get through a page.  Hard to keep a story line together with that kind of performance.

Just finished reading The Accidental Empress and really loved it.  I will start by telling you that I tried listening to this on Audible and wasn't a huge fan.  I know so many swear by it, but I didn't love the reader on this one.  I found myself focusing so much on the reader that I was missing the story! That and I love a good book in my hand before bed.  So I bought the hard copy as well.

This is historical fiction, which might be my favorite genre.  I find myself falling in love with different time periods, all while realizing that there isn't much difference in them at all.  Stories always tend to boil down to family and relationships, but I love the backdrop of various time periods.  This takes place during the reign of Franz Joseph of the Austrian Empire.  A time period I haven't read too much about.

Without giving up too many details, the main character Sisi finds herself on the thrown with Franz Joseph and tumult ensues as she adjusts to palace life all while trying to grow up at the same time.  Throughout the book, I had to keep reminding myself to read without the lens of my current reality.

It was such a different time for women, that even though she did step so far outside of bounds on some issues, her hands were tied on SO many. The book spans about 15 years and its fascinating to see her growth.

By far, one of my favorite parts of the book was her study of a German poet, Goethe, using his words to speak her thoughts which mirrored so many of my own.  She writes, "Things which matter most, must never be at the mercy of things which matter least."  I found myself dog-earing pages on so many of his thoughts throughout the book and admired her quest to learn.  

While each character had their flaws, I couldn't help but fall in love with every single one.  Loving her one moment and frustrated with him and in the next moment, loving him and rolling my eyes at her.  Their marriage and their reign most certainly charted new territory and in the end, I admired them both.