There are few books that make me laugh out loud multiple times throughout the story. There are even fewer books that force me to slow down and enjoy every carefully crafted sentence. Furthermore, there is an even smaller list of books that have taken up residence in my heart forever - books that have shaped the way I view the world - books I will never forget for now they are simply a part of me.
“A bit dramatic Jerri,” you may say.
I know. I know, but The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim is one of those books.
It has been about four days since I have finished the book, and my heart is still resting between the beautiful pages. It’s not so much that I am thinking about the characters or the plot, but I’m simply resting in the feeling the story weaves around you. If you want a book to help you slow down and enjoy your summer, then this is the book for you. I don’t think you can read the book and walk away without the words leaving some impression on you.
I’ll try not to give too many spoilers, but the premise of the book is in the 1920s four women, who don’t know each other, rent a castle in Italy for the entire month of April. They have their different reason for being there, but what they all truly want is an escape from their dreary, rainy life in England. Personalities collide and they have their personal conflicts to overcome. In my opinion, though, the main conflict they all battle against is how to rest and enjoy the moment.
I could feel the knots between my shoulders unraveling after every chapter as I went on my own journey with the characters. I found myself staring at the light peeking between the trees and just being amazed. I rested under the hot sun with the book on my chest and was grateful to be able to feel the warmth of summer. I want to look for the beauty of life now rather than simply looking past it.
Mrs. Wilkins, the main character of the book, perfectly captures this willingness to just sit and be. She wakes up the first morning in the castles and looks out her window. She is captivated, and her experience is described in the following paragraph.
She stared. Such beauty; and she there to see it. Such beauty; and she alive to feel it. Her face was bathed in light. Lovely scents came up to the window and caressed her. A tiny breeze gently lifted her hair. Far out in the bay a cluster of almost motionless fishing boats hovered like a flock of white birds on the tranquil sea. How beautiful, how beautiful. Not to have died before this…to have been allowed to see, breathe, feel this….She stared, her lips parted. Happy? Poor, ordinary, everyday word. But what could one say, how could one describe it? It was as though she could hardly stay inside herself, it was as though she were too small to hold so much of joy, it was as though she were washed through with light. (Von Arnim, 52).
Simply beautiful and motivating words to view every day with.
The book also has many references to God and the church. They compare the castle to heaven, and their reference made me think that when we are resting in God’s presence and we acknowledge the beautiful work of His hands are we not as close as we possibly can be to heaven on earth? Those moments are small and fleeting and truly incomparable to the grandeur of heaven, but its as close as our small, frail beings can get.
What great mercy! What wonderful grace! Our God does not withhold the beauty of His presence and creation.
It’s also wonderful to read books making bold references to God, and its not in the contemporary fashion of a Christian love story (I have read my share of those).
These women are just living there lives and God is mentioned. It’s not perfect, of course, and you aren’t going to get any captivating and thought provoking theology, but it’s there and we have so few books being written in a similar manner.
So, The Enchanted April needs to be added to your summer reading list if it isn’t there already. You will not regret it. Trust me.
Thank you for reading! I also wanted to mention the book has been adapted into a movie. I haven’t watched it yet, but I plan too. Please let me know if you have read the book or watched the movie. I would love to hear from you.
The copy I have is a custom edition from The Literary Book Club. I am not affiliated with them in anyway, but I wanted to provide the link to their amazing website. You can subscribe to receive beautiful classic books with gifts to open as your read. It is well worth it! I am reading so many classics now because of them.
As always, thank you for being here. May your books be delightful and your tea warm!
Works Cited
Von Arnim, Elizabeth. The Enchanted April. Printed in China, The Literary Book Club, 1922.
I very sweet and wonderful sounding book. I hope the movie is good as well!