A Trio of Stories: The Enchanted April & The Solitary Summer & Vera

by Elizabeth von Arnim

The Enchanted A 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 Mrs Wilkins and Mrs Arthuthnot, both fleeing unappreciative husbands; beautiful Lady Caroline, sick of being 'grabbed' by lovestruck men; and the imperious Mrs Fisher, who spends her time remembering the bearded 'great men' she knew in her Victorian childhood. By the end of their holiday, all the women will fall completely under the spell of Italy in this funny, insightful and very charming novel. "The Solitary Summer" is a witty, lyrical account of a rejuvenating summer. Descriptions of magnificent larkspurs and burning nasturiums give way to those of cooling forest walks--and of clambering up a mud bank when the miller is not in view. Rainy days prompt a little philanthropy, until the sun returns the gardener to the refuge of her beloved plants. In her introduction, Deborah Kellaway "All of von Arnim's heroines are escapists. They escape from riches to the simple life, or from conventional home life into foreign travel...In her first two books "[Elizabeth and Her German Garden" and "The Solitary Summer]," the escape is simply into the garden...And it is her capacity to present her joy in that place that made the books bestsellers. Here readers are escaping, with her, into happiness." 'A funny, sumptuous and invigorating vacation for the mind and soul ... refreshing, charming and romantic' Erica Bauermeister, 500 Great Books by Women At one level an escapist fantasy, at another a parable about the liberation of the spirit, this delicious confection will work its magic on all.' 'The Daily Telegraph Considered by many to be von Arnim's finest work, VERA is a startling exploration of sex and violence. Lucy Entwhistle's beloved father has just died, and aged twenty-two, she finds herself alone in the world. Leaning against her garden gate, dazed and unhappy, she is disturbed by the sudden appearance of the perspiring Mr Wemyss.

494 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2013

About the author

Elizabeth von Arnim, born Mary Annette Beauchamp, was an English novelist. Born in Australia, she married a German aristocrat, and her earliest works are set in Germany. Her first marriage made her Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin and her second Elizabeth Russell, Countess Russell. After her first husband's death, she had a three-year affair with the writer H.G. Wells, then later married Earl Russell, elder brother of the Nobel prize-winner and philosopher Bertrand Russell. She was a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield. Though known in early life as May, her first book introduced her to readers as Elizabeth, which she eventually became to friends and finally to family. Her writings are ascribed to Elizabeth von Arnim. She used the pseudonym Alice Cholmondeley for only one novel, Christine, published in 1917.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first story in this book: The Enchanted April. I have seen the film of the same name several times, and I was curious to read the novella that inspired it. There were a few small changes in the film from the book, but, in general, the film was faithful to the overall story. I was "enchanted" by this story; von Antrim has an amazing gift for sensory description. I could smell the flowers she described, taste the food, feel the warmth of the Italian countryside, and felt myself immersed and captivated by the villa the characters inhabit for the month. This story was 5 stars for me.

Unfortunately, I was not as captivated and entranced by the other two stories. Just as descriptive as The Enchanted April (von Antrim does seem obsessed with describing flowers!), but I never felt myself fully drawn in to either The Solitary Summer or Vera. I felt especially detached from The Solitary Summer, frankly. Vera had its moments.

Perhaps if I'd read the other two stories before The Enchanted April, or if I hadn't seen the lusciously filmed film of that novella (truly one of my all time favorite films, and a go-to when I'm feeling particularly dreary), these other two stories would have seemed more attractive.

The writing is wonderful throughout, and, again, von Antrim has gift for description and on point details, but perhaps it was a case of overload once I got to the end of the third story. :-(

Thus, I am deducting one star for the overall collection, although I HIGHLY recommend The Enchanted April!