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The Private Letters Of Countess Erzsebet Bathory (2011)

by Kimberly L. Craft(Favorite Author)

4.36 of 5 Votes: 6

ISBN

1461066778 (ISBN13: 9781461066774)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Createspace

review 1: If you want to read about the brutal murders, the heartbreaking torture or just want to hear the horror-filled screams inside your head, I assure you, this is not the book for you. Here is no bloody, chopped heads flying around. Instead, if you're interested in the woman behind the monstrous myth, be my quest and read on. Kimberly L. Craft's "The Private Letters of Countess Erzsébet Báthory" provides the reader more than forty English-translated letters, some of which have been published for the first time. The letters are divided into the following sections:* Running the Household: Early Letters to Vasváry Imre (1582-1589)* Letters to Ferenc Batthyány (1604-1605)* Letters from the Bocskai Uprising (1605-1607)* Letters from 1606-1609: Estate Administration* The Final D... moreays: Letters and Documents from 1610Unfortunately, there's not much left of Báthory's letters. Are the letters destroyed or simply waiting to be discovered, remains an open question. Craft takes the time to explain (and speculate) the historical surrounding and events that took place during the time these letters were send which gives the reader deeper understanding of the contents, and also makes the reading more entertaining. The letters themselves aren't very personal (or sensational for that matter) but they will give you an insight of the countesses everyday life. To me, who wasn't much familiar with Báthory (really, horror movies don't count) this book gave me an idea of an strong woman who was aware of her financial situation, a woman who was involved in her own business but also an woman who wasn't shy to seek advice when it was needed. Surprisingly, she demanded justice when coming across cruelty and wrongdoings. Not really what I was expecting from (allegedly) vicious murderer. However, I was too hasty and read this before getting my hands on Craft's first book "Infamous Lady: The True Story of Countess Erzsébet Báthory" which, I think, should be read before entering into the world of these letters. My bad. Big bad. Super bad. Damn. It's clear that Craft spent enormous amount of time to research and translate these historical pieces, and I for one am grateful for that.I need a cigarette.
review 2: This was a very detailed, informative book on private letters of Countess Erzsebet Bathory. I did not read the author's first book. This is a follow up to the Infamous Lady. Sadly, my library does not have a copy of that book, so definitely excited to have won a copy of this one. Even if you never read The Infamous Lady, the author included a short biography of a few pages before staring the book. It was pretty amazing to be reading translated letters from the early 1600s. Fascinating stuff! The author had really done her research.I do think I definitely would have enjoyed this book even more if I had known or read a bit more on the Countess, but it was a great introduction for me. Thank you for this goodreads win. less

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