Prince Otto

“Prince Otto” is very different from Robert Louis Stevenson’s more famous works. For instance, “Treasure Island” and “Kidnapped” are adventure novels aimed at young male readers who crave journeys and sharp sensations. “The Master of Ballantrae” and “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” explore the dark, ominous side of human nature. In none of these famous works does romance play an important role. However, “Prince Otto” is, in the end, a love story—though at the beginning of the book this may not be obvious. The Prince and his wife, Princess Seraphina, as leaders of the state and royal family members in their roles, have drifted apart. As the plot develops, they undergo significant changes, gradually losing the outer shell that hides their humanity. An unlikely catalyst for these transformations is the web of court intrigues, involving the struggle for power, betrayal, and deception.

PART I. THE TRAVELING PRINCE
Chapter I. In which the prince goes looking for adventures
Chapter II. In which the prince plays Haroun al-Rashid
Chapter III. In which the prince consoles both old age and beauty and teaches a lesson in modesty in love
Chapter IV. In which the prince gathers opinions along the way

PART II. ABOUT LOVE AND POLITICS
Chapter I. About what happened in the library
Chapter II. “In the Grunewald Court”—a part of the traveler’s manuscript
Chapter III. The Prince and the Englishman
Chapter IV. While the prince is in the reception room
Chapter V. Gondremark in her Highness’s room
Chapter VI. The prince gives a lecture on marriage with a critical illustration of divorce
Chapter VII. The prince dissolves the council
Chapter VIII. The war supporters begin to act
Chapter IX. The price of the riverside farm. Futile glory precedes downfall
Chapter X. A revised opinion of Gotthold and complete collapse
Chapter XI. The savior from von Rosen: act one—she meets the baron
Chapter XII. The savior from von Rosen: act two—she warns the prince
Chapter XIII. The savior from von Rosen: act three—she opens Seraphina’s eyes
Chapter XIV. In which is told the reason and the explosion of revolution in Grunewald

PART III. HAPPINESS IN MISFORTUNE
Chapter I. Cinderella the princess
Chapter II. Reflections on Christian virtue
Chapter III. The savior from von Rosen. The last act, in which she rides away
Chapter IV. In the forest

BIBLIOGRAPHIC ADDENDUM IN ADDITION TO THIS STORY