A crown of straw

"A Crown of Straw" by Allen Upward is a historical fiction story from the late 1800s that examines the romantic feelings and political schemes surrounding European royalty. It mainly focuses on the puzzling life of Maximilian, who becomes the new king of Franconia after his cruel father, Leopold IX, is overthrown. Filled with love, power, and rebellion, the book introduces characters like Dorothea, a forester’s daughter, and her cousin Johann, who find themselves caught up in the period's messy politics. Early on, there is a feeling of worry as men plan an assassination. Johann gets orders for a secret mission linked to royalty. The story shows the rocky relationship between the royal family and the people, showing how hard it is to be a king. Then, the story moves to a peaceful setting where Dorothea wonders about her strange visitor, the king hides who he really is, and problems arise between family loyalty and doubts about politics. This all sets the stage for a major look at love and duty during a rising revolution.