Julie Sparks asked Allison Pataki:

I don't have a question, so much as praise. I saw you on the Today Show talking about Sisi. So, I went out and bought both books. I was captivated. I had never heard about Sisi and her remarkable life. I like that you wrote about her, not as a tragic figure, but showed that she had flaws as well as strength. Do you think she and Franz would have eventually found happiness together?

Allison Pataki Thank you so much, Julie!

I really appreciate your kind words, and I'm so thrilled that you enjoyed the Sisi books.

Indeed, Sisi was many things; she was a complex, sympathetic, inspiring, infuriating and flawed figure. I think she emerges as a heroine and protagonist with whom we can relate and identify, not in spite of her flaws, but in large part because of them. In an era when Habsburg kings and queens were believed to rule with "divine right," Sisi was always glaringly aware of her imperfections. Ultimately, I believe that is why people responded to her (and continue to respond to her to this day) so passionately.

Would Sisi and Franz Joseph have found happiness together? That's hard to say. Perhaps with age and wisdom, Sisi's restlessness might have abated a bit and they might have found some measure of peace or companionship. Theirs was a life to which not many others could relate, so they certainly would have shared that. And yet, "peace" and "contentment" were not particularly accessible states of being for our restless Sisi!

Because of the grisly fate that befell their family, we will not know. It's another tragic aspect to this very moving and poignant human story.

Thanks --
Allison

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