Enchanted April

1991 • Drama, Romance • PG

When married British women Rose Arbuthnot and Lottie Wilkins decide to take a break from their respective spouses, they stay at a castle in Italy for a quiet holiday. Joining the ladies is Caroline Dester, a young socialite, and Mrs. Fisher, an older aristocrat. Liberated from their daily routines, the four women ease into life in rural Italy, and each finds herself transformed by the experience.

Runtime: 1h 29m

Dive into the enchanting world crafted by Elizabeth von Arnim in her novel 'Enchanted April', where the magic of an Italian spring offers a magnificent backdrop for rejuvenation and personal rediscovery. While the movie offers a visual spectacle, the book delves deeper into the rich inner lives of its characters, providing an intimate connection with their thoughts, dreams, and transformations. The novel's prose evokes the beauty and serenity of its setting in the Italian countryside far more vividly, painting a lyrical picture that stimulates the imagination beyond the film's scope. The narrative allows readers to explore the subtleties of the relationships between these diverse women as they navigate newfound freedom and understanding, which makes every page a profound journey. For those who enjoy getting lost in layers of emotion and the elegance of early 20th-century language, von Arnim's work is an exquisite alternative to the film. The experience of reading allows for a deeper, personal engagement with the story's themes of renewal and friendship, making it an enriching choice for lovers of literature.