The Diary of Countess Anna Maria Berezowska: A True Story By: Anna Maria Berezowska, John A Stelnicki (translator), Iris Hart (editor) [Audiobook]

Author: Anna Berezowska, John A. Stelnicki, Iris Hart

This authentic memoir was recently awarded the IPPY 2021 Bronze Medal for Best Regional Non-Fiction (Europe). It is a riveting, exquisitely written authentic account of a young and innocent aristocrat’s survival through a bloody revolution and personal catastrophes.

Amazingly poetic and original, Countess Anna Berezowskara recounts in her own words how she, a teenager in rural Poland, loses her parents and is taken in by sophisticated relatives. She accustoms herself to a life of ease and falls in love. But her dreams are shattered after she is brutalized and forced into an unwanted marriage.

Meanwhile the Polish-Russian War of 1792 begins, and Anna secretly sympathizes with the patriots and their uprising to dethrone the nobility and establish a constitutional democracy. Anna’s cousin, Sophia, prostitutes herself to powerful men in either camp in order to protect herself and her family, though not incapable of betrayal. Sophia’s own sexually-explicit words are secretly copied down by Anna and contained in this publication.

Anna lives through ambush, imprisonment, fires and blizzards; she and her writings miraculously escaping destruction. Her enduring love, faith, and hope sustain her. Not only does this diary read like an adventure novel, it sheds light on a little-known facet of European history when ancient kingdoms were being overthrown and democracies were painfully emerging. Moreover, it contains touches of humor, insights from a woman far ahead of her time, and qualities of a literary masterpiece.

As war rages and political conflicts among the Prussians, Russians, Lithuanians and Poles continue, Anna is one of the few survivors of the bloody Battle of Praga. Her writings attest to her strength, courage, and perseverance. Her acute observations of colorful people ranging from guests at royal balls to rustic peasants and servants, and their clothing details — as well as her unique sensitivity to issues of gender inequality, social status, religious practices, and childrearing customs — make this book a literary gem and valuable reading material in history and social science.