Enchanted April was written in 1923 by Elizabeth von Arnim, whose publishing name was simply 'Elizabeth'.
This compulsively readable tale of an enchanted months stay at an Italian villa was made into a film in 1935 and 1992, a stage play in 1925 and 2003, as well as a musical in 2016.
To those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine. Small medieval Italian castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April. Z. Box 1000. The Times
Lotty Wilkins is a put upon housewife who is tired of rainy London. When she happens upon the ad in the agony column of the paper, she dreams of spending her hidden nest egg on a holiday. Rose Arbuthnot is also married, to a morally corrupt writer who pays her no mind. She gives her time to good works for the church but longs for change. The two decide to pair up and, if they can advertise for two more women, they can afford to secretly escape their lives for the month.
They find San Salvatore more than a dream, the servants amenable and the garden sublime. The other two women are a society beauty who longs for privacy and an older matron whose rigid shell of loneliness is about to be broken. Mrs. Wilkins is the first to succumb to the aura of love about the place, and soon, all the guests have shed their proper customs and laughter spills into the summer air.
"Very soon, Mrs. Wilkins took her shoes and stockings off, and let her feet hang in the water. After watching her a minute, Mrs. Arbuthnot did the same. Their happiness was then complete".
The simple joys of the perfect holiday incites the desire to share, though Mrs. Wilkins wonders if it was a mistake then to ask her husband to join them - indeed Mrs. Arbuthnot should ask her husband as well! - but will the men fall under the enchanted spell?
This was a pleasure to read, feeling as if I too was enjoying the afternoons walking and napping. Ebullient is the word, as the joys of the guests is infectious, even the addition of the men increases the harmony. Their dream that escape would renew relationships comes true. It might seem a light book, a book about ladies and relationships - and it is. It's sometimes nice to read a novel where love and relaxation are the goals and I found it hard to put down. I've just watched the 1992 movie again, and while it was charming, it can't match the warmth emanating from this book, it just makes me want to read the novel again.
'Elizabeth' also wrote Mr. Skeffington in 1940, the basis for the Bette Davis/Claude Rains film. Enchanted April and several of her other books are available as free downloadable e-books online.
My other review for Elizabeth:
1923 / Hardcover / 313 pages
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