The Enchanted April

By: Elizabeth von Arnim

Narrated by: Nadia May

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Four very diverse women, all seeking revitalization and escape from the dreary February rains of 1920s London, rent the small medieval castle of San Salvatore, nestled high above the bay of Portofino, Italy. Arriving at San Salvatore, they find it awash with the scent of flowers, its olive groves terracing down to the sun-warmed sea.

Mrs. Wilkins and Mrs. Arbuthnot are glad to leave their insipid duties and unresponsive husbands behind; the elderly Mrs. Fisher wishes only to sit in the sun and replay her youthful memories; and the bewitchingly beautiful Lady Caroline Dester desires to have seclusion from all adoring suitors. A month of blissful privacy at San Salvatore promises to be the remedy each of them is looking for. Amid the canopies of fragrant wisteria, in the sweet sunshine and melodious silence, four lives are transformed and resuscitated by the magic of San Salvatore.

©1922 Elizabeth von Arnim (P)1994 Blackstone AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"Nadia May's narration is excellent, especially in differentiating the women's voices and in reading their inner dialogues." (AudioFile)

San Salvatore, a place of pure magic

I read (listened to) this book only because Nadia May was the narrator. The title alone proclaims it to be a "girly" book. I had never heard of Elizabeth von Arnim. Well, I am a convert. This is a great book. Elizabeth von Arnim is a terrific writer whose works can be enjoyed by "girls" as well as by grizzled old men. Essentially this is story of four women who had empty places in their hearts. They came to this magic place (a real place by the way), this magic garden of San Salvatore and found themselves and refilled those empty places. Two rediscovered their husbands, one who despised all men found an exception and the last found that there are different kinds of loves which can fill one heart. There is one scene in particular which makes this book memorable. Let us call it "Mr. Wilkins takes a bath". The darn thing blows up and out runs Mr. Wilkins right into Lady Caroline Dester. She naturally introduces him on the spot to the rich and proper lady, Mrs. Fisher so they stand in the hall chatting while Mr. Wilkins dripped with only a towel wrapped about his middle. This is a delicious scene.

I loved this feel good story!

Any additional comments?

This was a great listen. It's not a book to change your life, but such a welcome relief from life! A feel good story that I will listen to over and over.

Don’t miss this gem!

Enchanted April is my favorite modern film of all time, and discovering this audiobook version was a complete delight. Nadia May is nothing short of a perfect narrator, bringing each character to life much like the actors in the movie. The story is timeless and thoroughly engaging, filled with glorious descriptions, amusing dialogue, and the delight of propriety slipping away in favor of affectionate friendships and honest observations of men, marriage, and tradition. And all of this occurs against the backdrop of the romance and beauty of Italy, evoking a certain brand of magic on each inhabitant of the castle that is immensely delicious. Take some time for yourself and relish this gem!

If you love the wit of Downton Abbey...

... then you'll thoroughly enjoy this book. Sweet, funny, even laugh-out-loud moments. Read it in one sitting, as it was just a fun book that I didn't want to put down.

Entertaining

Makes you want to meet these 4 ladies "in person". Excellent narrator, she painted a very vivid picture.

Delightful

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. This time period is not normally my "cup of tea" but it was a charmer and very well narrated.

It's okay. ...

Struggled to finish this one. ...both the story and the narration were just plain slow.

Beauty

A tale about how beauty impacts individuals and changes everything. I really enjoyed how simple yet profound this story is.

Enchanting indeed!

I had such sweet dreams every night of this special place. Each morning I would listen to it after reading my daily devotional’s and sipping coffee…..I would love to stay at a place like this…does it exist really somewhere, I hope…..

A Holiday For Your Heart

I had seen the movie and loved it but I had never read the book. It transports you body, mind & spirit to Portofino, Italy. The author captures the mind set of anyone who is overwhelmed with the choices in their life who gains clarity by a true break from it. Side note:The castle they stay in is now open to the public.