Daisy - Princess of Pless

by Daisy Hochberg von Pless

Autobiographical work containing the life story of society beauty Daisy, Princess of Pless. Recommended for people interested in the figures of the Edwardian Period.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War

588 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1929

Reviews

[Czytam Sercem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jestem zaskoczona, jak tragiczną postacią była księżna Daisy, o tym się niestety nie mówi, a przynajmniej do mnie nie dotarły takie informacje. Piękna i nieszczęśliwa, podobno rzucił na nią klątwę jeden z poławiaczy jej słynnych pereł, być może jest w tym ziarnko prawdy, jak w każdej legendzie. Z przyjemnością sięgnę po kolejny tom wspomnień księżnej.

[Nutri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never heard of princess Daisy or the Hochbergs, until I visited the castle in Pszczyna. She is still highly revered there, with her own statue in the old city centre, and I decided to learn more about her life.

The book is a fascinating account of aristocratic life of an Edwardian lady, who travelled to Silesia to start her married life with her German husband. It's a story of being torn between two countries - England and Germany - mortal enemies during the first world war. It's also a deep dive record of the early 20th century nobility and their everyday life.

I think that the descriptions of the book presented by it's publishers don't give it enough credit. Elegant parties and dresses might have been a part of Daisy's life, but her mind was sharp and she was keenly interested in history and politics, often displaying quite accurate views about the possible future of Europe after the war.

Daisy had a good kind soul - during the war she spent years working hard as a nurse, bringing help and relief to wounded officers and soldiers. We can read her account of these dramatic experiences, all the while her being worried about her family and friends scattered throughout the war-torn Europe.

Before the war she was an active patron of Silesian society, helping fund a lace makers school, which boasted of students, who created lace decorations famous for its intricate designs all around western Europe.

I recommend this book to everyone interested in the recent European history - the diary of princess Daisy is truly a remarkable hidden gem.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read the reprint of the German edition of this. While at times all the names of people Daisy knew can grow to a confusing jumble, her premonition of a looming war and her thoughts throughout show a sharp mind.
Reading her memoirs feels like being on the inside of a cogwork machine. Little insinuations and personal connections make events that happened before and during the war more accessible than any Wikipedia entry could.
A remarkable woman whose personal correspondence furthers an understanding of society back then.