Ein fesselnder Roman, eine unglaubliche Geschichte, ein Schelmenroman allerersten Ranges
ANDREAS IZQUIERDO
KÖNIG VON ALBANIEN / KING OF ALBANIA
A Novel, 512 pages
Spring 2024
A Gripping book, an Incredible Story, a First-Rate Picaresque Novel
World history from a rather unusual perspective — meet Otto: actor, conman, and transitional king of Albania!
A literary historical novel, superbly researched and packed with humour — a homage to the art of swindling
Awarded the Walter Scott Prize for Best Historical Novel of the Year
“The story is daring. A brilliant revival of the picaresque novel!”Frank Schätzing
Salzburg, March, 1913. Showman, layabout, and genial conman Otto Witte is admitted to an asylum for stubbornly insisting that he is the king of Albania. The young student doctor, Alois Schilchegger is captivated by Otto Witte because of his ability for telling tall tales. And one of these tells of how he became the king of Albania.
It all begins in October 1912 in Constantinople. The Ottoman Empire is threatening to collapse. Albania seizes its chance and declares itself independent after four hundred years’ occupation by the Ottomans and seeks out a king to preside over the small Balkan nation. Otto and his sidekick Max Hoffmann, a sword swallower, opt for a risky move: Albania needs a king, you say? Well, it’s getting one! More precisely, Otto, who is a dead ringer for one of the potential candidates for the throne: Prince Halim Eddine, the nephew of the last Sultan. In February 1913, something incredible happens: two telegrams arrive announcing that the prince has arrived in Albania. Otto and Max disguise themselves as the prince and his secretary, wearing costumes they hired in Vienna. No one bats an eyelid. They spend five days in Albania and everything’s hunky-dory. Otto holds parades, is proclaimed king, cheered by the people of Albania, sets up a harem and moves against Serbia and Montenegro. Yet their clever hoax does not go unnoticed and they are eventually found out. King Otto I of Albania is trapped, surrounded by subjects who only want one thing: his head.
KÖNIG VON ALBANIEN / KING OF ALBANIA
A Novel, 512 pages
Spring 2024
A Gripping book, an Incredible Story, a First-Rate Picaresque Novel
World history from a rather unusual perspective — meet Otto: actor, conman, and transitional king of Albania!
A literary historical novel, superbly researched and packed with humour — a homage to the art of swindling
Awarded the Walter Scott Prize for Best Historical Novel of the Year
“The story is daring. A brilliant revival of the picaresque novel!”Frank Schätzing
Salzburg, March, 1913. Showman, layabout, and genial conman Otto Witte is admitted to an asylum for stubbornly insisting that he is the king of Albania. The young student doctor, Alois Schilchegger is captivated by Otto Witte because of his ability for telling tall tales. And one of these tells of how he became the king of Albania.
It all begins in October 1912 in Constantinople. The Ottoman Empire is threatening to collapse. Albania seizes its chance and declares itself independent after four hundred years’ occupation by the Ottomans and seeks out a king to preside over the small Balkan nation. Otto and his sidekick Max Hoffmann, a sword swallower, opt for a risky move: Albania needs a king, you say? Well, it’s getting one! More precisely, Otto, who is a dead ringer for one of the potential candidates for the throne: Prince Halim Eddine, the nephew of the last Sultan. In February 1913, something incredible happens: two telegrams arrive announcing that the prince has arrived in Albania. Otto and Max disguise themselves as the prince and his secretary, wearing costumes they hired in Vienna. No one bats an eyelid. They spend five days in Albania and everything’s hunky-dory. Otto holds parades, is proclaimed king, cheered by the people of Albania, sets up a harem and moves against Serbia and Montenegro. Yet their clever hoax does not go unnoticed and they are eventually found out. King Otto I of Albania is trapped, surrounded by subjects who only want one thing: his head.
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Andreas Izquierdo
Andreas Izquierdo, is a writer and screenwriter. He published the Sir Walter Scott Award-winning historical novel ‘King of Albania’ (2007) and...
Andreas Izquierdo, is a writer and screenwriter. He published the Sir Walter Scott Award-winning historical novel ‘King of Albania’ (2007) and numerous other novels, including the SPIEGEL bestseller ‘Der Club der Traumtänzer’ (2014) and ‘Fräulein Hedy träumt vom Fliegen’ (2018). ‘Schatten der Welt’ was published in 2020. ‘Revolution der Träume’ (2021) continues the story of the three friends Carl, Artur and Isi and ‘Labyrinth der Freiheit’ (2022) completes the trilogy. Most recently his novel...