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The Enchanted April
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
Elizabeth von Arnim's novel tells the story of four dissimilar women in 1920s England who leave their damp and rainy environs to go on a holiday to a secluded coastal castle in Italy. Mrs. Arbuthnot and Mrs. Wilkins, who belong to the same ladies' club but have never spoken, become acquainted after reading an advertisement for villas for rent in a newspaper. They find some common ground in that both are struggling to make the best of unhappy marriages. Having decided to seek other ladies to help share expenses, they reluctantly take on the waspish, elderly Mrs. Fisher and the stunning, but aloof, Lady Caroline Dester. The four women come together at the castle and find rejuvenation in the tranquil beauty of their surroundings, rediscovering hope and love.
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review
RaeLovesToRead
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Mehso-so

I dunno.

This wasn't without charm, but it also irritated the life out of me with its selfish, infuriating characters, and weird narrative choices.

The men were all shallow, amoral, self-important creeps.

I was hoping it would be a book about freedom, independence, joy, and self actualisation, but the moral of the story seems to be that if your husband is an asshole, it's probably 'cause you're no longer glowing enough to keep things on track.

Bookwomble I read a few pages of one of her books and was horrified by her autobiographical MCs attitude to her staff. IRL her husband was a pre-war German aristocrat who had a Polish slave workforce, so I was happy to DNF. 6mo
RaeLovesToRead @Bookwomble I don't know if I've got you on GR, but my review is basically a rant ? I know it's "of its time" but sometimes that affects my reading experience more than others. 6mo
Bookwomble @RaeLovesToRead Yes, we're GR friends, but I go in disguise over there under my real name! I've just liked your review by way of identification 😄 6mo
See All 6 Comments
RaeLovesToRead @Bookwomble Aaahhh yes! I have now put two and two together! I think I read this book at exactly the wrong time (for me) personally. Almost everyone else seems to think it was sweet. 6mo
Bookwomble @RaeLovesToRead I had the same reaction to the tagged: Everybody else seems to think it's sweet and relaxing, I thought it was a glaring example of the exploitation and oppression of the poor by the rich, but to be fair I only got about 40 pages in then threw it in the bin! 6mo
RaeLovesToRead @Bookwomble Sounds ghastly. No thank you! The other one of hers I want to read is called Vera. The blurb makes it sound like Rebecca and I can't imagine it being saccharine. 6mo
59 likes1 stack add6 comments
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RaeLovesToRead
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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I don't remember the last time I read a book with such annoying characters 🤣🤣

Waiting for the others to push Mrs Fisher from the battlements 🍿🍿🍿

(I suspect I will be disappointed... this isn't a murder mystery after all... Still, there's 100 pages left... plenty of time for it to end in a shoot-out...)

AvidReader25 🤣 definitely not a mystery. 6mo
willaful Oh dear, you were misled.... 6mo
RaeLovesToRead @AvidReader25 @willaful Haha, I was just kidding about. When I wrote this earlier there was a lot of stressful holiday bickering. By the end I was annoyed about other things... see my GR review for details 😅🙃 6mo
53 likes3 comments
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Librarybelle
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Pickpick

In this novel from #1922 , 4 women embark on a monthlong stay in Italy. Von Arnim‘s description of the Italian villa the ladies stay at feels warm and friendly and almost magical. The ladies, in turn, find themselves during the month. Very character-driven, and it‘s wonderful to watch the growth of the characters as the novel progresses. The audio version I listened to was very good! #192025 #52BookClub24 #ACharacterDrivenNovel

BarbaraBB This was such an uplifting lovely read 💕 10mo
Librarybelle @BarbaraBB It truly was! 10mo
Deblovestoread Loved this book, too! 💜 10mo
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Librarybelle @Deblovestoread ❤️❤️❤️ 10mo
Hooked_on_books Sounds like it could fit a couple of the prompts. Plus, great cover! 10mo
Librarybelle @Hooked_on_books Most likely! The 4 POV prompt is another option! 10mo
KarenUK Loved this one too 💕 10mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 10mo
Crazeedi @Librarybelle I remember reading this one 10mo
Librarybelle @Crazeedi It was a lovely listen! 10mo
Caryl One of my favorites! 💖 The movie is great, too! 10mo
Librarybelle @Caryl Oh! I‘ll have to see the movie! 10mo
74 likes13 comments
review
Maggie4483
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Pickpick

I was hoping, with so much discussion of the meals in this book, there would be some good Italian food descriptions. But, since there weren‘t, I made a Shrimp Portofino based on the location. This was actually my dinner last Sunday (when I planned to finish this book), but didn‘t finish until yesterday. #CookingTheBooks #BookAndDinner

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LeslieO
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Oh my goodness, @BarbaraJean what an amazing trip to Italy you sent! The scents, sights and tastes without even leaving my chair! The journal is beautiful, candle smells amazing, and the cookies look delicious. And I can‘t wait to did into the books. You should be an armchair travel agent! Thank you so much! #staycationswap (Hope you like yours as much!)

Chrissyreadit 😍😍😍😍 1y
LeahBergen I ❤️ The Enchanted April SO MUCH. 1y
BarbaraJean Yaaaay!! I‘m so glad you like everything. 🥰 I haven‘t read either book, but they‘re both on my TBR, so the choice was clear! 😊 I hope you enjoy reading them! 1y
DinoMom Italy !! So fun. 1y
41 likes4 comments
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AnneCecilie
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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#WeeklyForecast

I want to continue my reading of Islands of Abandonment.

I have just started The Enchanted April and want to finish that.

I want to read Still Born

And hopefully get a start on Blonde Roots

Cinfhen I really appreciated Still Born. 1y
AllDebooks We're reading Islands of abandonment with #NaturaLitsy Feel free to join in our discussions. Let me know if you wish to be added to the taglist x 1y
See All 9 Comments
DivineDiana I am quite taken with your shimmering background. 💖 1y
BiblioLitten I loved the tagged book 💕 1y
AnneCecilie @Cinfhen I‘ve started Still Born now and it really has me thinking. 1y
AnneCecilie @allthebooks Thanks for the invite andI might go back and join in as I finish the sections, still reading the first part. I have noticed that you are reading some good books, I might join you on some if that‘s okey 1y
AnneCecilie @DivineDiana Thank you. That‘s my blanket. I love it 1y
AnneCecilie @BiblioLitten It was a little different from what I expected, but I enjoyed it 1y
58 likes9 comments
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TheLudicReader
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Let‘s see how we go.

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AnneCecilie
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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I had been so god this year and during the year‘s first four months only bought 6 books. Then May came and I bought 8 books.

The good thing is that I have already read 3; the 2 Manga and Black Butterflies.

I hope to get to several of these in June.

And A Glass of Blessings is for a buddy read in November #PemberLittens #HashtagBrigade. I bought it early since I was buying from an online bookstore I usually don‘t buy from.

Jari-chan Enchanted April is such a lovely book 🤭 1y
MizzGraham Love Spy Family! 1y
Ruthiella Agree with @Jari-chan ! 👍 Enchanted April was such a sweet fairy tale for grown ups. 1y
willaful It's a charmer, though I think the movie's even better.

I think Fraulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther may have been my first Virago...
1y
54 likes4 comments
review
CogsOfEncouragement
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Pickpick

I just finished this enjoyable novel published in 1922. So many quotable portions throughout. I‘ve highlighted quite a bit for this buddy read. I‘m really looking forward to the discussion with my friend tomorrow.

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CogsOfEncouragement
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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I‘m doing a buddy read with a friend this week. Really looking forward to discussing this cheeky book with her.

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Kristelh
Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
13 likes1 comment
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LeslieO
Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Ready for some spring reading. Hoping the weather around here starts resembling spring. #BookSpinBingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
31 likes1 comment
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xicanti
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Another breakfast with THE ENCHANTED APRIL—which, I‘m sorry to say, hasn‘t grabbed me the way I wanted it to. Everyone‘s comments made it sound charming, but so far I‘m more frustrated than anything else. While I recognize that von Arnim means it to be a productive and/or humorous frustration, it‘s still kept me at a distance from the characters. Sadness.

BkClubCare I‘m sorry you are sad 😔 2y
xicanti @BkClubCare I hope my next book will bring me joy. 2y
BkClubCare @xicanti yes! I just started Nightbitch. Not sure if joy will be had, but I am up for the ride. 2y
xicanti @BkClubCare good luck to you, friend! 2y
40 likes4 comments
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xicanti
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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I started another book from my Litsy stack over breakfast. THE ENCHANTED APRIL‘s first chapter made me almost unbearably sad, but I hope that‘s a sign these women‘s lives are about to turn around.

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Gissy
Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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#Alphabetgame #LetterE

Also enjoyed: Etched in Bone, I love this series; Educated; Eleonor Oliphant is Completely Fine Love this book❤️; Emma

BarbaraBB Great choice 🤍 2y
Gissy @BarbaraBB Thank you!🤗 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Eleanor 💛💙 2y
32 likes3 comments
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shawnmooney
Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Sophronisba
Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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“There had been wonderful stars the evening before, and she had gone out into the top garden after dinner, leaving Mrs Fisher alone over her nuts and wine, and, sitting on the wall at the place where the lilies crowded their ghost heads, she had looked out into the gulf of the night, and it had suddenly seemed as if her life had been a noise all about nothing.“

#SundaySentence #192025

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Sophronisba
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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#FridayReads #FirstLineFridays #192025

“It began in a woman‘s club in London on a February afternoon – an uncomfortable club, and a miserable afternoon – when Mrs Wilkins, who had come down from Hampstead to shop and had lunched at her club, took up The Times from the table in the smoking room, and running her listless eye down the agony column saw this:

“To Those Who Appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine. Small medieval Italian castle. . . .“

BarbaraBB Such a lovely and uplifting book! 2y
18 likes1 comment
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shawnmooney
Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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https://youtu.be/F25jLisvP9Y

Intro

Curtis is back!

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

Other People Manage by Ellen Hawley

All Will Be Well: A Memoir by John McGahern

A Lost Lady by Willa Cather

How should I mark my five-year anniversary?

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shawnmooney
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Ruthiella I love this book. 2y
Gissy It was good. First book read by this author but not the last one📚🤗 2y
28 likes1 stack add2 comments
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shawnmooney
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Arnim
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review
Gissy
Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Pickpick

Hilarious story. I really enjoyed the interaction of these four women while they stay in an Italian castle for a month. Different personalities and backgrounds, different motives to stay at the castle. I liked the sarcasm tone of those dialogues, absurd situations. Even the author‘s life was peculiar. This edition has an introduction part. Better to read it after the novel. 3.5/3.8⭐️ #BookSpinBingo May 2022 #DoubleSpin @TheAromaOfBooks

Gissy #2in4 Readathon @Andrew65 2y
mabell This sounds fun! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I frequently feel like introductions should be afterwords and vice versa. I read a nonfiction book lately and then the afterword was the author explaining how she was actually connected to the real-life people in the book... like that would have been extremely helpful/interesting at the beginning?? And then sometimes I read an introduction that literally tells the whole story of the book! Why?? 2y
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Gissy @TheAromaofBooks Yes, that happens. I use to read these introductions afterwards. 2y
Gissy @mabell I think you are going to like it. 2y
Andrew65 Sounds great 👏👏👏 2y
46 likes6 comments
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peanutnine
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Pickpick

Finished this last weekend with the #sundaybuddyread crew - it was so enjoyable! Definitely not what I expected but the descriptions of Italy in the spring were gorgeous and the characters were hilarious. I loved reading and discussing along with everyone @TheBookHippie ☺️

49 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BookBabe
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Pickpick

Enjoyable listen! I recommend the audio, great narration. Her writing style is eloquent and humorous. I listened to this while doing housework and it made the time fly. This is a photo of the actual castle inspired by this book, which she also wrote there. Perfect book for my first fiction read in 3 years! 🙌🏻

TEArificbooks This is the second time in one day someone has recommended this book to me. I will have to check it out. 3y
BookBabe @mdm139 😄🙌🏻 3y
40 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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DebinHawaii
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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My April #BookStats & recap. I‘m satisfied with 10 books finished in April considering what a busy month it was. Finished up North & South & Oceanography of the Moon & the others I started & finished. I really enjoyed everything I read with the exception of slogging through North and South at times. An American Sunrise, I read for a book discussion & then listened to it on audiobook & took part in Big Read Hawaii & completed the National Poetry ⬇️

DebinHawaii …Month Challenge through my library as well as joined in on 2 buddy reads & completed 2 book tour reviews. I also knocked out a couple of #ARC from my NetGalley #TBR All in all, a great reading month! 🎉📚🎉 3y
53 likes1 comment
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CindyMyLifeIsLit
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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💐Tagged
💐 I‘m in SE Texas, so spring lasts about 15 minutes before we barrel at 90 mph into full-blown summer! I didn‘t choose the number 90 lightly—our temps are already up there. Then it will be 95 every single day until the end of October, so I stay inside in my AC. 🥵
💐 No, not much of a green thumb. I like planting things initially, but the upkeep proves challenging.
💐 Raspberry lemonade!
Consider yourself tagged!
#ThoughtfulThursday

review
DebinHawaii
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Pickpick

I had my doubts about this classic (published in 1922) going in to #SundayBuddyRead but it turned out to be a lovely surprise that although 100 years old & about 4 women in 1920‘s England, still has relevance today. Charming, humorous & with scenery descriptions stirring enough to make me want to drop everything & head to Italy, it was an enjoyable & perfect for April. I watched the 1991 move last night after finishing & really enjoyed it too. ⬇️

DebinHawaii …Thanks to Christine @TheBookHippie for the always great hosting & discussion & for getting me to read things I might not otherwise on my own! 🤗 3y
BarbaraBB This is such a delightful book 🤍 3y
DebinHawaii @BarbaraBB It really is! 3y
See All 6 Comments
CoffeeAndABook I‘m currently listening to the Audiobook and absolutely enjoying it!!! It‘s so full of wit and wisdom surprisingly progressive. Too bad I didn‘t realize you were doing this as a buddy read🙈 and yes - it‘s April right now! I want to travel to Italy immediately 😃🧳 🇮🇹 🌸 3y
TheBookHippie @DebinHawaii I really enjoyed this! Thanks for joining in this was one of the most lovely books !! Wanderlust is great for Italy and flowers and food! 3y
CarolynM Glad you enjoyed. The book and movie are favourites of mine. 3y
66 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Deblovestoread
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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#BookReport Still avoiding books that might queue the water works which all 4 books accomplished. Loved The Enchanted April. I would like to make this story real and set myself in Italy for a month. The other three were all enjoyable but nothing that will stick with me.

#WeeklyForecast Fortunate Ones is for #LMPBC. I‘m about 25% and am not yet connecting with the story yet. Probably me and not the book. Barely started the other two.

Cinfhen You didn‘t LOVE 3y
Cinfhen It was sooooo good as was it‘s sequel 3y
52 likes2 comments
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vlwelser
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this a lot. Final discussion this Sunday. Until then 🤐

#SundayBuddyRead @TheBookHippie

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
45 likes1 comment
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mollyrotondo
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely loved this month‘s #sundaybuddyread ! The humor was written so very well! The thoughts and struggles of each of the women were so real and honest and still relevant today 100 years this book was written. The descriptions of the Riviera were so vivid and enticing it made me feel like I was there even though it‘s been cold all month where I live lol. Excellent read and I hope to read more by Von Arnim soon.

AmyG I am looking forward to finishing! 3y
mollyrotondo @AmyG I spent my whole day off catching up and finishing! Can‘t wait to read everyone‘s thoughts on Sunday!! 3y
CarolynM 💖 3y
48 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Dilara
The Enchanted April | Elizabeth Von Arnim
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I started The Enchanted April on the morning of Easter Sunday. Perfect!

IuliaC Happy Easter! The lilac and vase are amazing! 😍 3y
Dilara @IuliaC Thank you! 😁 And a happy Easter to you too! 3y
BarbaraBB Gorgeous pic! 3y
26 likes3 comments