FORSCHUNGSSTELLE CARMEN SYLVA
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Band 9:

The Child of the Sun. Royal Fairy Tales and Essays by the Queens of Romania, Elisabeth (Carmen Sylva, 1843-1916) and Marie (1875-1938)

Selected and edited, with an introduction and bibliography by Silvia Irina Zimmermann

The Child of the Sun: Royal Fairy Tales and Essays by the Queens of Romania, Elisabeth (Carmen Sylva, 1843-1916) and Marie (1875-1938). Selected and edited, with an introduction and bibliography by Silvia Irina Zimmermann. [Schriftenreihe der Forschungsstelle Carmen Sylva/ Fürstlich Wiedisches Archiv, Band 9 / Series of the Research Center Carmen Sylva - Princely Archive of Wied, vol. 9], Stuttgart: ibidem-Verlag (Ibidem Press), 2020.
315 pages, 54 illustrations (7 colored)
Print: ISBN-13: 978-3-8382-1393-4
eBook: ISBN: 9783838273938

Review copies and order details on the website of the publisher Ibidem Press: Ibidem Press

Book-extract: Writing Queens (PDF 3,44 MB)


Private Collection: S.I. Zimmermann

* * *

"Carmen Sylva, when she discovered that I was writing, instead of laughing at me and being ironical about my modest attempts at literature, encouraged me from the very first in every way. She was getting old, her imagination was running dry, and she declared that mine had come just in time to replace hers, which was a generous thing to say. She declared that it was a happy and blessed discovery that I could hold a pen, and no end of kind and enthusiastic things. She spurred me on to write, and each time I had finished a story she immediately wanted to have it so as to translate it into German."

Queen Marie of Romania about Carmen Sylva (Queen Elisabeth of Romania)

* * *

The history of the monarchy in Romania and of its four kings would be incomplete without the story of the queen consorts, who seem to have been even more fascinating personalities than the kings were. Especially the first two queen consorts, Elisabeth (Carmen Sylva) and Marie of Romania, became famous as writers during their lifetime. They both wrote in their mother tongues, Elisabeth in German and Marie in English, and published many of their books, not only in Romania, but also abroad, thus reaching a widespread readership, worldwide publicity, and literary recognition.
This affectionately collected, critically edited volume comprises the most precious tales and essays by the queen consorts, either translated into English (Carmen Sylva) or in the original English version (Marie of Romania).

* * *

About the editor: Dr. Silvia Irina Zimmermann is coordinator of the Research Center Carmen Sylva of the Princely Archive of Wied. She has published several books, new editions, and studies about the life and writings of Carmen Sylva (born Princess Elisabeth of Wied, the first Queen of Romania).

 

Contents:

The Writing Queens of Romania, Elisabeth (Carmen Sylva) and Marie (introduction)

Queen Consorts and Writers - a Romanian Phenomenon

- Queen Elisabeth (Carmen Sylva): "How I came to take the name of Carmen Sylva as my nom de plume"
- Album: Queen Elisabeth, Portraits and Books
- Queen Marie: "So I began to write fairy-tales"
- Album: Queen Marie, Portraits and Books

The Ideal Sovereign in the Vision of the Writing Queens of Romania, Elisabeth (Carmen Sylva) and Marie

Bibliography

- Queen Elisabeth (Carmen Sylva): Published Works (Selection)
- Queen Marie: Published Works (Selection)
- Further Bibliography

Selected Fairy Tales

Queen Elisabeth of Romania (Carmen Sylva) - The Child of the Sun
- The Treasure Seekers
- Vârful cu Dor (The Peak of Yearning)
- The Cave of Ialomitza
- Furnica (The Anthill)
- The Witch's Stronghold (Cetatea Babei)
- The Caraiman
- The Serpent-Isle
- Râul Doamnei (The River of the Princess)
- The Story of a Helpful Queen
- My Kaleidoscope
- "Stand! Who Goes There?"

Queen Marie of Romania
- The Sun-Child
- Conu Ilie's Rose Tree
- Baba Alba
- The Snake Island
- Parintele Simeon's Wonder Book. A Very Moral Story
- A Christmas Tale
- The Magic Doll of Romania (fragments)

Selected Essays about Romania

Queen Elisabeth of Romania (Carmen Sylva): Bucharest
Queen Marie of Romania: My Country (fragments)
Queen Marie of Romania: The Country That I Love. An Exile's Memories (fragments)
- "Why This Book Was Written" (Preface)
- Jassy
- Bran Castle

© Forschungsstelle Carmen Sylva
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