Enchanted April

Here presented in a new edition to include pictures and an extensive section on von Arnim's life and works, The Enchanted April has inspired generations of readers since and established Portofino and the Italian Riviera as a mainstay of the tourist circuit

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2018
Publisher: Alma Books Ltd

Four women, with very different backgrounds and characters, respond to an advertisement in The Times offering a medieval castle to rent in Italy that April. As their joint holiday begins, tensions flare up between them, but they soon bond over their past misfortunes and rediscover hope and the pleasures of life in their tranquil surroundings.

A huge best-seller when it was published in 1922, The Enchanted April has inspired generations of readers since and established Portofino and the Italian Riviera as a mainstay of the tourist circuit.

The novel is set in the picturesque town of Portofino, on the Italian Riviera, in the early 1900s. The four main characters are Lottie Wilkins, a young Englishwoman who is practical and down-to-earth; Rose Arbuthnot, a devout and conservative Christian who is married to a wealthy Englishman; Mrs Fisher, a widowed woman who is sharp-tongued and cynical; and Lady Caroline Dester, a wealthy and aristocratic Englishwoman who is haughty and snobbish.

The four women arrive at the castle in Portofino, which is owned by a mysterious and reclusive Italian nobleman named Count Fabrizio di San Martino. The castle is beautiful, with its winding stairs, ornate gardens, and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. However, the women soon discover that the castle is not as idyllic as it seems.

There are tensions between the women from the beginning. Lottie is practical and down-to-earth, while Rose is devout and conservative. Mrs Fisher is sharp-tongued and cynical, and Lady Caroline is haughty and snobbish. The women also have different personalities and interests, which further adds to the tension between them.

However, as their joint holiday begins, the women start to bond over their past misfortunes and rediscover hope and the pleasures of life in their tranquil surroundings. They spend their days exploring the castle and the surrounding countryside, eating delicious food, and drinking wine. They also start to share their secrets and personal struggles, which helps them to understand each other better.

As the holiday comes to an end, the women leave the castle with a renewed sense of hope and a deeper appreciation for each other. They promise to keep in touch and to visit each other again in the future. The Enchanted April is a beautiful and inspiring novel that celebrates the power of friendship and the importance of living in the present moment.

The novel also explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption. Lottie is in love with a young Italian man named Carlo, but her practical nature and her fear of commitment prevent her from pursuing a relationship with him. Rose is in love with her husband, but her religious beliefs and her fear of change prevent her from being happy in her marriage. Mrs Fisher is in love with her late husband, but her cynicism and her fear of loneliness prevent her from moving on. Lady Caroline is in love with a young Italian man named Fabrizio, but her haughtiness and her fear of rejection prevent her from pursuing a relationship with him.

Through their experiences at the castle, the women learn to confront their fears and to embrace the beauty of life. They also learn to appreciate each other's differences and to find common ground. The Enchanted April is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by readers for generations. Its beautiful prose, its charming characters, and its inspiring message make it a must-read for anyone who loves literature and the power of human connection.

In conclusion, The Enchanted April is a beautiful and inspiring novel that celebrates the power of friendship and the importance of living in the present moment. Its characters are charming, its prose is beautiful, and its message is timeless. Whether you are a fan of literature or just looking for a good read, The Enchanted April is a must-read.

Weight: 234g
Dimension: 198 x 128 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781847497215