The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight

First published in 1905, “Princess Priscilla's Fortnight” by Elizabeth von Arnim is a fairy tale telling the story of Priscilla, a popular and celebrated German princess, who grows tired of her lavish and pampered life. Through the instruction of her mentor, Herr Fritzing, she learns there is a wide and varied world outside the castle walls, and yearns to escape. The marriage proposal of an eligible prince makes Priscilla realize that if she wants to escape the life she secretly detests, now is the time. So she runs away with Fritzing and a bribed chamber maid-possibly the last two people who have the street smarts to help the Princess on the "outside". Somehow they make it, undetected, to a small town in England where they intend to live a simple and peaceful life. Unfortunately for Princess Priscilla, “simple and peaceful” is not what ensues. The Princess, used to being obeyed and her every move observed by her entourage, now must live in anonymity and endure the condescension of the town ladies and pastors wives who presume to be above her in rank. Priscilla also must endure culture clashes many times brought on by the utter lack of common sense held by the runaways. Priscilla's story is full of lessons for those who think that by searching far they will find their happiness, and do not see that it is lying all the while at their feet. Von Arnim's characters are vibrant, her language unique, and readers will find themselves laughing out loud as they journey along with Priscilla and Fritzi on their adventure. Elizabeth von Arnim was one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, a fact that readers will find obvious as they read this fascinating book.