The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von ArnimMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
"What would she see out of her window? A shining world, or a world of rain? But it would be beautiful -- whatever it was would be beautiful... Such beauty, and she there to see it. Such beauty and she alive to feel it."
I've been wanting the peace and quiet that comes with cold mountain air for years, and tomorrow I shall endure a long bus trip to get it, for a few days. But old habits die hard, and it's difficult to shake away teacher's guilt at even five minutes of purposeless sitting.
How wonderful, then, that this is the first book read during the Christmas break. It It is THE PERFECT BOOK to begin any break from reality with, whether it's only the weekend, or a few weeks!
I think I was only on page five of this book when I frantically ordered the two other von Arnims available from a local bookseller, it was THAT good!
Written exactly a hundred years ago, the concerns of the protagonists are very much ours today. What if one desires a vacation but can't afford it? Why, one finds friends, old and new, with which to split the cost, of course!
Von Arnim brings together four women from different backgrounds, all facing challenges in life and love; souls heavy with the friction of daily living, eyes dim with the toll of years of endless routine. Their only connection? An Italian castle, rented for a month in April. This Heaven, however, needs to be worked for. As anyone who has planned an out-of-town break knows, the preparation takes months. Transportation, accommodation, not to mention food expenses... it takes a great deal of headache before the actual trip, in order for it to proceed smoothly (and even then, unexpected problems arise!).
Von Arnim's characters fight over sitting rooms, who is to order lunch, how much is to be spent on groceries, and who can invite a husband (or lover). They are petty, and snap at each other... but come together so beautifully at the end, that it fills the reader with joy and good will towards all humankind.
Using von Arnim's criteria of a good book ("No one should ever write a book God wouldn't like to read."), this is a very Christmas-like book indeed. It is far wiser than I thought it would be, and far better for my soul than so many other "deep" prize winners. Begone, salt on wounds! Give me wisteria and sunshine, and wounded souls longing for the comforts of beauty and kindness.
Von Arnim reminds us again that a great deal of happiness lies in just being empty "cups of acceptance," of the importance of smiling "not because they were happy, but because they wished to make happy," that we need only look for the good in others and ourselves, in order for that cycle of love and joy to come back to us. And yes, that vacations ARE necessary and not evil luxuries we need be guilty of taking!
View all my reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment