I Live Again

A Memoir of Ileana, Princess of Romania and Archduchess of Austria

De: Ileana Archduchess of Austria

Narrado por: Kristina Wenger

Ileana, Princess of Romania and Archduchess of Austria who in later life became Mother Alexandra, founder of the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Pennsylvania wrote this memoir shortly after relocating to the US in the 1950s.

It tells the story of a life full of suffering, tragedy, and exile, but all is suffused with the author's deep faith, hope, love, and even joy.

This edition includes additional material collected by the nuns of her monastery that sets the memoir in the context of Mother Alexandra's later life.

©2018 Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration (P)2018 Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration

An honored place on history lovers' shelves

Kristina Wenger is the voice of Princess Ileana. I love her narration.

The Princess tells us history to explain her circumstances and shares to politics-- no taking sides, simply what was happening. What is most interesting to me right now is how she shares what was happening when the Russians were coming in. Not even their own soldiers were excited when Russia maneuvered to take tiny Romania. Then there were the conversations with Anna Pauker, and the Russian placed leader, Bodnaras. They give us great insight into what was happening as the Russians were taking over. and how they did it.

As a religious person, Princess Ileana is much loved in Orthodox circles and her life story is one of boldness and bravery in the face of adversity. She is a light to us still.

Lovely Story, Poor Narration

I enjoy anything written by Mother Alexandra, and this is no exception. But unfortunately, the narrator made it hard to get through. It seemed like the book was being read to a preschool class, and not meant for adult material.

Proverbs 31...

As I listened to this audiobook, my mind kept returning to one thought... Princess Ileana, during the time of the war, exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman:
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
This book is not about her monastic life or the establishment of the monastery. This book is a journal of the events of Princess Ileana's life during a very specific time period- her life during WWII and after- leading up to her family leaving Romania. How she "lives again" as she transitions from being a princess of Romania to the Archduchess of Austria to the time of WWII, and, finally, to when she is forced with her family to leave her country.
Princess Ileana was not idle- her ability to learn nursing, build hospitals, give to the poor, and convince communist officials to support her endeavors were inspiring.
As I finished this audiobook, I was inspired by her untiring example of giving to others and helping her fellow man. And, her adventures, which she writes about very matter of fact (almost as if she believes that anyone else would have done the same thing which shows her true humility). I am eager to learn more about how Princess Ileana became Mother Alexandra of blessed memory, how she "lives again" in monasticism.
Technically, this audiobook is very well done. The quality of the recording is amazing. The narrator, Kristina Wenger, does an excellent job- I almost believed it was the voice of Princess Ileana herself!
The one downside to the audiobook is that the published book does contain illustrations and photos of Princess Ileana and her family. But, that is the downside to audiobooks, especially autobiographical books, is that there is not a way to convey the photos or artwork. We happen to own a copy of the book and I was able to look through the photos/illustrations (but I waited until after I finished listening to the book in order to write a review of the audiobook).
I was gifted a copy of this audiobook for an honest review. Purchase your own copy of the audiobook through Audible.com.

The pages torn from the history of Romania

I am one of the first generation immigrants who left Romania after the fall of communism and only with time and distance managed to see through the haze of my childhood in communist schools and post communist social democrat propaganda. I am so grateful for this book and story and even bishop’s Nathanael postscript. These are the pages I wish I could have read much earlier, like the pages of the communist prisoners - and may I be worthy of putting them to good use as a Romanian American in this new brave free world. Carry on wherever you may be.

Fascinating memoir of a fascinating woman

This book is so good I started listening to it again. This is a fascinating memoir of an extraordinary woman's life that spanned World War 1 and World War 2 in Romania. I actually wanted it to continue into her life in the United States after she was exiled from her own country. The narration was superb.