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)

Comparatively quiet story. Slow moving but worth the time.

I bought this book so long ago that I have no idea when I actually did. Going through my library I found it and remembered the story and the movie which was made of it by a number of great English character actors. Do I decided to listen to it , amazed that I thought I'd not yet listened to it. As it started, I realized that indeed I had. It, I'm sure for a second time, was a slow go. It's a lovely portrait of a small, but, I'm sure, representative group of middle class English. It's rather like "A Room with a View" with less action. Ultimately I enjoyed it for what it is. Rather like "tone poem", but a written one. Be prepared for a slow moving read. But you might be charmed by the characters.

Enchanting!

You'll experience a lovely Italian sojourn in this character study of four English ladies. Von Arnim does a good job creating tension between four women who don't know each but are sharing a space and resources that they are paying for. Those boundaries and tensions melt away at different speeds for different characters, ultimately bringing the book to a satisfying ending.

Not for me.

While some may find this book enchanting, I struggled a lot to get through it.

Escapist fun

I enjoyed the movie version first, which it turns out is pretty faithful to the book. There is nothing deep or revelatory in the characters, but we do get to know them just enough to like them as acquaintances made by spending time together in an Italian villa. Nadia May is a fine narrator, and every once in a while I thought Judi Dench had snuck into the room, which was not a problem for me at all. :-)

Deliciously clever writing

If you appreciate wisteria, sunshine, and keen observation akin to Jane Austen, you'll enjoy this.

Classic loveliness

Of course the story is beyond beautiful. The twentieth reading is as exciting as the first, Nadia May is the best female reader in Audio's stable. All over what more can be asked?

Truly a ladies adventure

A story about four women who did not know each other but decide to share expenses to go on vacation .

A happy book

This was a pleasure to listen to. Beautifully written, and narrated, with wry humor and insight. I highly recommend it, especially if you are tired of listening to books filled with angst.

Delightful

This is a delightful book, brilliantly read by Nadia May. Uplifting, funny, and highly recommended

Courage!

I love the movie and I love the book.
Such courage, they took it upon themselves to make a wish come true!!