Sisi

Between Constraint and Freedom – Karen Duve's captivating audiobook about Sisi. The obedient little Sisi who once married Emperor Franz Joseph is no more. When Elisabeth (Sisi) becomes the Empress of Austria through marriage, she enters a strictly ordered world full of rigid conventions and dull receptions. She can only break free during extensive travels and stays at her Hungarian castle in Gödöllő. There, she can live freely and pursue her greatest passion: wild hunting rides. No water ditch is too wide for the Empress, no obstacle too dangerous – Sisi is among the best and most daring riders of her time. The legendary hunt and race rider Bay Middleton admires the Empress not only for her equestrian skills.

During a stay in Gödöllő, Sisi invites her horse-riding and fencing-savvy niece Marie Wallersee to visit. As the daughter of an actress, Marie is not exactly of noble birth, but Sisi sees in her a freer second self and makes her a close confidante. The 18-year-old Marie quickly succumbs to the charm of her imperial aunt and is all too happy to assist her when she plays the passionate rider and femme fatale. However, soon Marie also becomes attractive to others, especially to the male nobles. Accustomed to being the center of attention, Sisi starts looking for a husband to counter the annoying competition and begins an intricate game of seduction and betrayal.