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Elizabeth von ArnimThe Enchanted April (June 5, 2008)

LibriVox recording of The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. Read by Diana Kiesners

It’s a dreary February in post-World War I London when Mrs. Wilkins spots an advertisement in The Times for a small Italian castle for rent in April. She sees another member of her women’s club, Mrs. Arbuthnot, reading the same advertisement and manages to convince her that the two of them should rent it. Both are miserable and lonely in their marriages. They can’t afford the cost of the villa, San Salvatore, on their own and must advertise for two others, eventually recruiting an elderly widow named Mrs. Fisher, and Lady Caroline Dester, a beautiful young socialite desperate to escape from London and society. The four journey to Italy where San Salvatore works its magic separately on each of them, changing their lives in unexpected ways. (Summary by Diana Kiesners)

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This audio is part of the collection: LibriVox

Artist/Composer: Elizabeth von Arnim
Date: 2008-06-05
Source: Librivox recording of a public-domain text
Keywords: literature; fiction; romance; von arnim; enchanted; audio books; librivox

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: CasualListener - - June 21, 2009
Subject: Delightful!
I thought the reading was a bit slow at first but do not be fooled like I had been! Her reading takes momentum as she pleasantly goes on and, as soon as listening to the second chapter, you'll be thinking that actually, there is no better suited reader for this novel. In fact the enchantment of the story and her lovely voice match perfectly well!

It was a bit difficult to understand her saying words like "pericoloso", "Mezzago" and "Giuseppe", but all the same she said "Francesca" in the most adorable of manners.

Don't miss it, this recording is one of a kind.

Reviewer: julicarter - - June 21, 2009
Subject: Transporting
I love the film, and I love the area where it was filmed (above Portofino), and now I love Diana Kiesners' reading of the book. All of the magic and humor and quiet and confusion is well conveyed. The characters come to life, and I find they can coexist quite nicely with those in the film. Many thanks to Ms. Kiesners and of course to Ms. von Arnim!

Reviewer: Runcible - - April 8, 2009
Subject: Superb
This is a marvelous story and the reader, Diana K. narrates it with great sensitivity. Just wonderful.

Reviewer: rachelellen - - August 18, 2008
Subject: lovely!
This is a lovely, memorable story about the transforming power of love and joy. The skilled reader's voice and tone match the story perfectly.

Reviewer: TheBookworm - - June 24, 2008
Subject: Beautiful reading of a sentimental classic
A beautiful reading of this wonderful story of the blossoming of four women who leave rainy London to spend a month in an Italian castle. I can't recommend it too highly. A big thank you to Diana K. (TheBookworm, Manchester, UK)