Prince Otto, a Romance

Prince Otto: A Romance is a novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1885.

The novel was largely written during 1883. Stevenson referred to Prince Otto as "my hardest effort", one of the chapters was rewritten eight times by Stevenson and once by his wife.

Robert Louis Stevenson's third full-length novel--unlike his many others--is a love story. Because of their royal responsibilities and lifestyle, Prince Otto and his wife have grown apart. Caught up in a web of palace conspiracies and strife, Otto and Serafina change, and their facades fall away, revealing the real people underneath.

Otto is prince of a little principality in the old German empire. He also has no real interest in doing the job, being more content to Hunt. This leaves the ruling to his scheming young wife and his even more scheming Prime Minister. What follows is a tale for the ages, as his kingdom must face a socialist revolution, as he has to determine what is important to him, his kingdom, his wife, or just his own neck. With intrigues a plenty, and a cast of characters that are brought to vivid life, as well as the romance in the title, this is a great story that deserves more attention than it has received. It stands up with the best of Stevensons work. As far as narration, wow! Holly Adams did a spectacular job, really bringing life, humanity, villainy and humor to the various characters in turn. She nails all the voices, from the Prince to the lowest born farmer, male and female. She needs to narrate as many books as she can, because I will get them.