Enchanted April

It’s the time of year—at least in Westcoast BC—when spring is gaining some traction after months of grey skies, short windy days, and multiple layers of clothing. While it still feels too slow in coming, with many false starts and retreats, every sustained rise in temperature inspires hope. So, it seemed like the perfect time to introduce The Enchanted April, written by Elizabeth Von Arnim, first published in 1922.

As the book begins, two women are also struggling with the dregs of winter in post-World War 1 England. On a February afternoon, in a London woman’s club, they each separately come upon a newspaper advertisement that reads as follows:

 To Those Who Appreciate Wisteria and Sunshine. Small medieval Italian castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April. Necessary servants remain.

Mrs. Lottie Wilkins and Mrs. Rose Arbuthnot are middle-class housewives with predictable lives and strained marriages. They attend the same church, but differ in temperament and re the social circles they travel. Yet the advertisement stirs something in both of them, although they initially dismiss it as a pipe dream. But Mrs. Wilkins, “sees them there,” and thus begins the journey to San Salvatore.

To afford the rent, the women advertise for two more to accompany them. Applying are Mrs. Fisher: an older, curmudgeonly widow, and Lady Caroline Dester (the author later uses her family nickname Scrap), a young beautiful woman in need of rest from a full social calendar and a host of grabby suitors.

As the holiday begins under the warm and welcome Italian sun, tensions flare between these women of different backgrounds, characters, senses of entitlement, and expectations for the trip. For example, Lady Caroline’s single intention is to “lie comatose for four weeks in the sun.” It takes the others some time to understand this and just let her be. As they settle and begin to take in the magic of the place, they eventually bond over shared misfortunes and the pleasures of life in their tranquil surroundings.

Almost immediately Lottie “sees” her husband Mellersh there, despite the fact that the vacation seemed like an escape from her humdrum London life and her sometimes overbearing husband. She writes to him, and encourages Rose to invite her husband as well, which rocks the equilibrium of their little foursome. Mellersh arrives and surprisingly fits right in, happy his wife has made advantageous social connections. He finds new appreciation for Lottie and is heartened to offer help and advice to the others.

Joining them later at the castle is Mr. Briggs, owner of the property. He is initially drawn to the attractive and interesting Rose, but ultimately becomes distracted by Lady Caroline’s extraordinary beauty. Then Rose’s husband Frederick arrives: a philanderer and author of racy royal memoirs. He never received Rose’s invitation to visit, but instead coincidently came in search of Lady Caroline. He is startled by the appearance of Rose, as well as her enthusiasm, warmth, and ardour as she is overwhelmed by his unexpected arrival. In true San Salvatore style, they rekindle their romance and forgotten regard for one another.

As I describe the basic plot, it might seem like a gals get-away, which men then join to liven up the party. However, much of the novel is a languid homage to the deliciousness of slowing down, and to opening up our hearts and senses. From the moment she reads the advertisement, Lottie is drawn to the idea, then the reality, of San Salvatore. The warm sun and bursting garden, as well as her new-found initiative in supporting her own needs, infuse her almost immediately with a sense of agency and generosity towards others. That openness and warmth is contagious, and allows each woman to begin to trust each other and slowly reveal vulnerabilities. This ultimately extends to the men in their lives.

As the story closes, Lottie envisions her increasingly close relationship with Mrs. Fisher continuing back in England. Over the month, Mrs. Fisher’s initially crusty, demanding demeanour has softened into an almost motherly affection for all, with a willingness to accept affection in return. Lottie also sees a future match for Lady Caroline and Mr. Briggs, despite Lady Caroline’s early annoyance at his almost worshipful (and potentially grabby) attention.

But what happens when the magic of San Salvatore is but a memory, and ordinary life resumes? We’ve all had a restful, immersing vacation we’re sure will remain with us, yet the feeling inevitably fades as stressors re-accrue. But I’d like to think there are certain places and experiences that never leave us, and we can call them back in a heartbeat. I hope that magic continued for The Enchanted April characters.

NOTE: This book was made into a movie in 1991. A few plot points were changed, but the filmmakers did a laudable job of capturing the book’s characters and magic of San Salvatore. It has stayed with me.