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Wanda: Countess von Szalras.- All Three Volumes - Complete
This epic romantic novel places us deep in the life of Wanda - a woman who is aristocratic and beautiful, yet stubborn and headstrong.
The sole owner of a magnificent castle deep in the Austrian mountains, Wanda's life is one steeped in both the traditions of the bygone Middle Ages, and the new, industrial world of the late 19th century. All too conscious of her standing in society, it is with great caution that Wanda approaches the subject of love and marriage.
One night Wanda encounters and saves a man from drowning near her castle. Well-spoken and educated, he introduces himself as René, the Marquis de Sabran-Romaris. The last man of an ancient dynasty, René was the result of a brief romance his wealthy father had with a peasant girl. His father, realizing the value of a son to the ailing dynasty, raised young René, who consequently harbors of a shared, aristocratic mentality as Wanda.
However this story is a lie: René is infact a serf whose true identity is Vassia Kazán. Wanda, thoroughly charmed by the handsome and dashing René, and ignorant of his true identity as a lowborn serf, marries him.
However one man knows the truth of his lowly birth: Egon Vàsàrhely, a man who fought and argued with Kazán when the two were mere boys. Once he hears of René - or be it Vassia's - good fortune after many years, the reader is left to wonder; will the shocking revelation be revealed? What will Wanda do if she discovers the truth?
"Ouida" was a pseudonym of the popular Victorian and Edwardian era novelist Maria Louise Ramé. The author of many novels; Wanda is among her lengthiest. This edition contains all three volumes of the story, allowing the reader to read the entire epic tale in a single, convenient book.
The sole owner of a magnificent castle deep in the Austrian mountains, Wanda's life is one steeped in both the traditions of the bygone Middle Ages, and the new, industrial world of the late 19th century. All too conscious of her standing in society, it is with great caution that Wanda approaches the subject of love and marriage.
One night Wanda encounters and saves a man from drowning near her castle. Well-spoken and educated, he introduces himself as René, the Marquis de Sabran-Romaris. The last man of an ancient dynasty, René was the result of a brief romance his wealthy father had with a peasant girl. His father, realizing the value of a son to the ailing dynasty, raised young René, who consequently harbors of a shared, aristocratic mentality as Wanda.
However this story is a lie: René is infact a serf whose true identity is Vassia Kazán. Wanda, thoroughly charmed by the handsome and dashing René, and ignorant of his true identity as a lowborn serf, marries him.
However one man knows the truth of his lowly birth: Egon Vàsàrhely, a man who fought and argued with Kazán when the two were mere boys. Once he hears of René - or be it Vassia's - good fortune after many years, the reader is left to wonder; will the shocking revelation be revealed? What will Wanda do if she discovers the truth?
"Ouida" was a pseudonym of the popular Victorian and Edwardian era novelist Maria Louise Ramé. The author of many novels; Wanda is among her lengthiest. This edition contains all three volumes of the story, allowing the reader to read the entire epic tale in a single, convenient book.
- GenresVictorian
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1883
4 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Ouida
1,093 books56 followersOuida was the pen name of the English novelist Maria Louise Ramé (although she preferred to be known as Marie Louise de la Ramée).
During her career, she wrote more than 40 novels, children's books and collections of short stories and essays. She was an animal rights activist and animal rescuer, and at times owned as many as thirty dogs. For many years she lived in London, but about 1874 she went to Italy, where she died.
Ouida's work went through several phases during her career. In her early period, her novels were a hybrid of the sensationalism of the 1860s and the proto-adventure novels dubbed "muscular fiction" that were emerging in part as a romanticization of imperial expansion. Later her work was more along the lines of historical romance, though she never stopped comment on contemporary society. She also wrote several stories for children. One of her most famous novels, Under Two Flags, described the British in Algeria in the most extravagant of terms, while nonetheless also expressing sympathy for the Frenchwith whom Ouida deeply identifiedand, to some extent, the Arabs. This book went on to be staged in plays, and subsequently to be turned into at least three movies, transitioning Ouida in the 20th century.
Jack London cites her novel Signa, which describes an unschooled Italian peasant child who achieves fame as an opera composer, and which he read at age eight, as one of the eight reasons for his literary success.
During her career, she wrote more than 40 novels, children's books and collections of short stories and essays. She was an animal rights activist and animal rescuer, and at times owned as many as thirty dogs. For many years she lived in London, but about 1874 she went to Italy, where she died.
Ouida's work went through several phases during her career. In her early period, her novels were a hybrid of the sensationalism of the 1860s and the proto-adventure novels dubbed "muscular fiction" that were emerging in part as a romanticization of imperial expansion. Later her work was more along the lines of historical romance, though she never stopped comment on contemporary society. She also wrote several stories for children. One of her most famous novels, Under Two Flags, described the British in Algeria in the most extravagant of terms, while nonetheless also expressing sympathy for the Frenchwith whom Ouida deeply identifiedand, to some extent, the Arabs. This book went on to be staged in plays, and subsequently to be turned into at least three movies, transitioning Ouida in the 20th century.
Jack London cites her novel Signa, which describes an unschooled Italian peasant child who achieves fame as an opera composer, and which he read at age eight, as one of the eight reasons for his literary success.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 30, 2015
26 NOV 2015 - another recommendation through Bettie and Laura. Thank you, Ladies. How can I resist a book which shares my name? I cannot!
30 DEC 2015 - proofreading completed of Volume I. While this novel is very wordy, I loved it! I have such a weakness and soft spot in my heart for these old stories. Wanda is a stubborn woman who is a bit of a "stick." I can see, however, she is slowly coming around and I hope Sabran will be a man in her future. **Fingers crossed**
30 DEC 2015 - proofreading completed of Volume I. While this novel is very wordy, I loved it! I have such a weakness and soft spot in my heart for these old stories. Wanda is a stubborn woman who is a bit of a "stick." I can see, however, she is slowly coming around and I hope Sabran will be a man in her future. **Fingers crossed**
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August 25, 2016Brazilliant has found a link: http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id...
Cheryl has found another link: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL23400...
Cheryl has found another link: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL23400...
July 20, 2011
It was pretty good. Review TK.
January 5, 2026
I have not read this book but just wanted to point out that the information about Dvorak's opera above is incorrect. His 1895 opera is NOT based on Ouida's novel but is instead based on the original Polish legend of Princess Wanda of Krakow.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews