Retro Reads discussion

Well, what an appropriate book to be reading in April! :)

Apologies for being a little late getting the threads for this read up - a lot happening today.

This will be my first read of this title - & my first read from Project Gutenberg (although I have used the Australian site)

please no spoilers (or use spoiler tags) in this thread or discussing events that don't happen till the second half of the book. We don't want to spoil a first read for anyone!

It will be a first read for me as well--but not for a few days. Once again I assumed I had the book (I have a lot of von Arnim) but found out I didn't so it's on order, and Amazon imagines that books are not urgent items in a pandemic! The subject for dinner-table philosophizing at some balmier future date. . . .

This will be a first read for me, I remember seeing the film years ago, though! I have the ebook and audiobook through Scribd.

Abigail wrote: "It will be a first read for me as well--but not for a few days. Once again I assumed I had the book (I have a lot of von Arnim) but found out I didn't so it's on order, and Amazon imagines that boo..."

It might not take too long, my last order quoted as delivery in May has turned up early :) Just as well as I had nothing to read... well I could have re-read i suppose :)
Actually I read this a couple of years ago - a treat, an absolute TREAT!

You're right, Linda, I got A Damsel in Distress a week earlier than they estimated. But they haven't shipped Enchanted April yet. I hope it will come later this week!

This will be my first read as well; I have the ebook.

From my status update: I knew nothing about this book, so went in with an open mind. So far, I am enchanted. Just the escape from reality I need!

Me, too! Not too impressed with Mellersh- amazing the picture that can be revealed of a character we haven’t even met, yet...btw, I’ve never seen that name before - anyone else know of it?

Susan in NC wrote: "Me, too! Not too impressed with Mellersh- amazing the picture that can be revealed of a character we haven’t even met, yet...btw, I’ve never seen that name before - anyone else know of it?"

I know of it as a sirname, not a first - used to work with someone who had it.

Here's the Gutenberg link for the free ebook of Enchanted April if it's helpful to anyone: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16389

The 1991 movie is absolutely marvelous and should not be missed!

Interesting I'm up to where they have arrived at the castle. & we have (view spoiler)[ two who are selfish & two who aren't (hide spoiler)]

I played hooky from work for a little while and read the first three chapters. I'd forgotten what a way with words Elizabeth von Arnim had. She draws these characters so well.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Interesting I'm up to where they have arrived at the castle. & we have [spoilers removed]"

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks so!

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "I played hooky from work for a little while and read the first three chapters. I'd forgotten what a way with words Elizabeth von Arnim had. She draws these characters so well."

The description of the gardens - swoon! I feel like I am there.

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "I played hooky from work for a little while and read the first three chapters. I'd forgotten what a way with words Elizabeth von Arnim had. She draws these characters so well."

I’ve highlighted passages because of the lovely language and crisp, insightful character sketches!

Linda wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Me, too! Not too impressed with Mellersh- amazing the picture that can be revealed of a character we haven’t even met, yet...btw, I’ve never seen that name before - anyone else ..."

Thanks, Linda - I googled it and only saw that - not as a first name.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "I played hooky from work for a little while and read the first three chapters. I'd forgotten what a way with words Elizabeth von Arnim had. She draws these characters so..."

Yes! I can smell the flowers!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "The description of the gardens - swoon! I feel like I am there."

Have you read Elizabeth and Her German Garden? It's clear from reading that novella that she adored flowers and gardening.

I have not! But it’s going on my list.

Going on my list too.

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "The description of the gardens - swoon! I feel like I am there."

Have you read Elizabeth and Her German Garden? It's clear from reading that novella t..."

Possibly more than her children, given the way she refers to them :)

And definitely more than her husband, aka Man of Wrath!

Still waiting for Enchanted April to arrive, says it will be here Tuesday. Got an edition with Elizabeth & Her German Garden, as well. Will re-read both, pass to my husband who never read them the first time. I used to curate his books as he worked long hours, left before dawn & came home late. Now, with retirement & staying at home, he is reading everything he can get his hands on.

I'm still waiting too, but my copy finally shipped today!

A few comments about Elizabeth and Her German Garden (which is semi-autobiographical, and boy howdy, does she ever rhapsodize at length about the delights of flowers and gardening): When Hana and I and a few other people did a buddy read of it several years ago, we saw that von Arnim sprinkles this book with quite a few German words and phrases that she doesn't bother translating. I speak reasonably good German, so I added a list of all the German words and phrases and my translations of them at the end of my review of the book. I put a fair amount of time into researching some of the archaic German stuff. If you read the book and run into any German phrases that confuse you, I hope this is helpful!

Thanks so much for that service, Tadiana! I am virtually German-illiterate so that will be helpful when next I read it.

Started Enchanted April today and I love it! I'd forgotten what a light touch Elizabeth von Arnim has at making her points, both when conveying character ("He produced the impression of keeping copies of everything he said") and when conveying the poignancy of women's artificially diminished lives ("I--I've done nothing but duties, things for other people, ever since I was a girl, and I don't believe anybody loves me a bit--the b-better"). So happy to be back in her world after all these years.