Description - The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
A discreet notice in The Times addressed "To Those who Appreciate Wistaria and Sunshine" advertises a "small mediaeval Italian Castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April." Four very different women take up the offer, escaping dreary London for the sunshine of Italy. Among the party are disheveled, downtrodden Mrs. Wilkins and sad, sweet-faced Mrs. Arbuthnot, both fleeing unappreciative husbands; ravishing socialite Lady Caroline, sick of being "grabbed" by lovestruck men; and the imperious Mrs. Fisher, a formidable widow who spends her time remembering the bearded "great men" she knew in her Victorian childhood. As each, in turn, blossoms in the warmth of the Italian spring, quite unexpected changes occur. Now, if the same transformations can be worked on their husbands and lovers, the enchantment will be complete.
THE ENCHANTED APRIL was a bestseller in both England and the United States upon its publication in 1922, and set off a craze for tourism to Portofino, Italy. With its four London women, one Italian castle, and month of unexpected transformation, it is a witty and delightful depiction of what it is like to rediscover joy--the perfect romantic rediscovery for fans of Downton Abbey and Jess Walter's Beautiful Ruins.
For more than seventy-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 2,000 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
The charming, slyly comic novel of romantic longing and transformation that inspired the Oscar-nominated film
Four very different women, looking to escape dreary London for the sunshine of Italy, take up an offer advertised in the Times for a "small medieval Italian Castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April." As each blossoms in the warmth of the Italian spring, quite unexpected changes occur.
An immediate bestseller upon its first publication, in 1922, The Enchanted April set off a craze for tourism to the Italian Riviera that continues today. Published here to coincide with a contemporary retelling, Enchanted August by Brenda Bowen, it's a witty ensemble piece and the perfect romantic rediscovery for fans of Jess Walter's Beautiful Ruins and Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love as well as of Downton Abbey and the hit movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust theseries to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-datetranslations by award-winning translators.
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