Jaima’s Comments (group member since Apr 20, 2015)

Jaima’s comments from the The Enchanted April group.

Good point Ashley. His gradual softening is more realistic and (probably) will be more long-lasting. He's clever and probably quite wise, but Lottie will make a nice human of him.

I believe she'll hold onto it too. And now that she isn't so cowed by Mellersh I think she'll keep him nice. I could even see him mellowing more and more as the years go by. And even if his internal dialogue is odious, it's entertaining and honest and I appreciate that. Perhaps I just want him to be humbled a little. But I could see that happening over time, now that Lottie has come into her own. She would do it lovingly, I think, and gently. Really, the characters are so well done, to be able to extrapolate so much about them, and have it feel real!

That's such a good one, isn't it? I love the last scene! It's been a long time (At least 15 years) since I saw Enchanted April, but it stuck with me, it was so wonderful. When you see it, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on the differences between the book and the film. I found they were small but significant--like hinges.

I like that idea too, Tadiana (i.e. "everyone being able to find their true selves in this place of light and beauty"). Forest of Arden, perhaps? I have mixed feelings about some things. For instance, Mellersh grows to appreciate Lottie at San Salvatore, but remains a self-interested man, practically licking his chops at the misfortunes he thinks are in store for the others. I'm not sure whether I appreciate the realism (you don't become a new person over night, no matter how wonderful your Italian castle is) or whether I wish for the fairy-tale transformation into people who are good and blemish-free. I'm of two minds. Probably I mostly agree with the first, but I do sometimes wish I could like Mellersh just a little bit better. And (view spoiler)[ I really disliked the way things played out with Briggs and Lady Caroline. I preferred the movie so much more, where he begins by neglecting her instead of melting in a puddle at her feet like everyone else. I found that so annoying. And it was so much more easy to believe she would love him, when she had to chase him just a bit. I confess, in the book, I don't like her much. I had a hard time accepting that she suddenly falls in love with him after all as told in the book and it made me annoyed. It seemed to Shakespearean, with everyone paired so conveniently--though I suppose that is only to be expected, if you account for the effects of San Salvatore/ the Forest or Arden (hide spoiler)]

That is a nice part isn't it? I follow the Louvre on instagram, and today they posted a picture of a Judas tree that made me immediately think of Lotty, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Arbuthnot and Scrap. It seemed fortuitous...I'd meant to google these trees to see what they are like, but voila! Thanks to the Louvre, I didn't need to.
https://instagram.com/p/1_BLP3OAR3/

I'm happy for Lotty that so far things are working out with Mellersh, even if his motives are less than pure...but it does make me worried for the future.

I hadn't thought of that. But Lotty is loveable, and she certainly is that. Charlotte always makes me think of Charlotte Lucas :/

Exactly! You put it so well.

Yes, Mrs. A has given some unexpected surprises already. I loved disccovering that her husband writes (I can't rememeber if it is before chapter 4 or not, so I'll put it in spoiler tags) (view spoiler)[books about mistresses! (hide spoiler)] They don't sound that trashy to me, but poor Mrs. A. and poor Frederick. I feel sorry for him too, even though it's fairly clear he is up to no good. I don't exactly blame him...