The Diary of Countess Anna Maria Berezowska

A literary masterpiece that waited over 200 years to be discovered! The Diary of Countess Anna Maria Berezowska, A True Story, is a unique first-hand account by a young aristocrat unwittingly caught up in the brutal armed invasion of Poland, her beloved homeland, at the end of the 18th century. It reads like a romantic mystery novel, although it is authentic nonfiction replete with historical and cultural facts. It was translated into English by John Stelnicki, Anna's direct descendant, over 60 years ago.

Countess Anna and her writings miraculously survived raging fires and blizzards, murderous pillaging and ambush, imprisonment, near-starvation, and other narrow escapes from death. Her descriptions of people from all social classes, including peasants and servants, are unprecedented. The unaffected way she confides her sincere emotions concerning love captivate and enchant.

This intimate narrative cries through to generations beyond, disclosing such vital current issues as rape victimization, unplanned pregnancy, social class injustices, religious differences, constraining traditions, assaults on women, forced confinement, war, betrayal ... thus linking that bygone era with life today.

Our fascinating heroine also cannot resist peeking into and copying down portions of her lascivious cousin Sophia's diary, My Delights, detailing her wanton sexual adventures. Both Anna and Sophia, as well as the other unforgettable characters, cope quite diversely with the final full capitulation of their nation, Europe's first constitutional democracy.

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