Book club selection (via POC; session held 2 June 2019 (though I was in Virginia so missed it)).
I love reading about this period of history and this part of the world. But I didn't altogether love this book - the author just was way too focused on the scandal-details surrounding the Mayerling hunting lodge incident - sure it was important in the arc of the monarchy, but it was just one fairly minor episode in the overall story (if titillating).
I would have liked much more Austria-context, and a lot less Mayerling-minutiae.
Still, the book did provide some insights about the Austrian royalty in its final period. And in working through various conspiracy theories surrounding the Mayerling incident, the author did get into some of the challenges faced by the empire as the 19th century drew to a close, including divisions among Czechs, Hungarians, and other groups. It's impressive that the conglomeration hung together as long as it did - I often think it receives more ridicule than it deserves.
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