The Enchanted April
by Elizabeth Von Arnim
Copyright 1922
Four English ladies retreat from their miserable lives in London to a medieval castle in Italy that they have rented for the month of April. Lottie and Rose are escaping their husbands. Lady Caroline is trying to get away from men in general, and Mrs. Fisher, a grieving widow, wants only to rest and think and not be disturbed. As the weeks progress, attitudes change, and things get interesting when the husbands and landlord show up.
This is a good story, but Elizabeth Von Arnim, like many authors of the time, includes way too much narrative, which slows it down. Because I was curious after seeing a theatrical production of this book, and my regional talking book library’s group decided to discuss it, I slogged through and found the ending, like that of the play, satisfactory. This might be a good book to read during the month of April in a sunny garden, perhaps in Italy. The excessive narrative plus the sun’s warmth may cause you to slip into a peaceful afternoon slumber.
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I think I may nod off without the aid of the book!
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That could be. Thank you for your comment.
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I loved that book. Fashions in literature change, of course, but part of what delighted me so was learning what each of the four women thought about her surroundings as she described them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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You’re welcome. Thank you for commenting.
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