“The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight” by Elizabeth von Arnim is a delightful and humorous tale of royalty and self-discovery. The story follows “Princess Priscilla” a young royal who is tired of the constraints and expectations of her privileged life. Seeking a break from her royal duties and the suffocating nature of court life, she decides to embark on a bold escape. In disguise, Priscilla ventures out into the world for a fortnight of freedom and adventure. Her journey is marked by a series of comical and eye-opening experiences that reveal the absurdities of social satire and the class distinctions she had previously been shielded from. As she navigates through various encounters and situations, Priscilla undergoes a process of personal growth and transformation, gaining a new perspective on life and herself. The novel blends elements of romance and fairytale, as Priscilla's adventures lead her to unexpected relationships and a deeper understanding of her own desires and identity. Elizabeth von Arnim’s wit and charm shine through in this light-hearted exploration of freedom and identity, offering a delightful narrative that critiques societal norms, while, celebrating the joy of self-discovery and personal liberation.
Elizabeth von Arnim was an English author who was born Mary Annette Beauchamp on August 31, 1866, and died on February 9, 1941. She was born in Australia and married a German nobleman. Her first books are set in Germany. She was made Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin by her first marriage, and Countess Russell by her second marriage to Elizabeth Russell. Following the death of her first husband, she had an affair with writer H. G. Wells for three years. She then married Frank Russell, who is the older brother of philosopher and Nobel Prize winner Bertrand Russell. She was related to the author Katherine Mansfield, who was born in New Zealand. In her early years, she was known as May, but in her first book, she was called Elizabeth, which is what her friends and family, eventually, called her. The works she did are credited to Elizabeth von Arnim. She only wrote one book under the name Alice Cholmondeley, which came out in 1917 and was called Christine. She was born at her family's home on Kirribilli Point in Sydney, Australia. Her parents were Henry Herron Beauchamp (1825–1907), a rich shipowner, and Elizabeth Weiss Lassetter, also known as “Louey.” Her family called her May. She was one of five children. Kathy Beauchamp, who wrote under the name Katherine Mansfield, was one of her cousins and was born in New Zealand.
