Elizabeth Von Arnim

"A notice in The Times addressed to 'Those Who Appreciate Wistaria and Sunshine' advertises a 'small medieval Italian Castle to be let for the month of April'. Four very different women take up the offer: Mrs Wilkins and Mrs Arbuthnot, both fleeing unappreciative husbands; beautiful Lady Caroline, sick of being 'grabbed' by lovesick men; and the imperious, ageing Mrs Fisher. On the shores of the Mediterranean, beauty, warmth and leisure weave their spell, and nothing will ever be the same again." -- Provided by publisher.

The enchanted April

Elizabeth

May 7th -- There were days last winter when I danced for sheer joy out in my frost-bound garden in spite of my years and children. But I did it behind a bush, having a due regard for the decencies ...' Elizabeth's uniquely witty pen records each season in her beloved garden, where she escapes from the stifling routine of indoors: servants, meals, domestic routine, and the presence of her overbearing husband ...

Elizabeth and Her German Garden

Twenty-two-year-old Lucy Entwhistle is quite alone in the world following the death of her beloved father. Dazed and unhappy, she leans against the garden gate, where she is disturbed by the perspiring Mr Wemyss. This middle-aged man is also in mourning - for his wife, Vera, who has died in mysterious circumstances. Before Lucy can collect herself, Mr Wemyss has taken charge - of the funeral arrangements, of her kind Aunt Dot - but most of all, of Lucy herself, body and soul.

With a New Introduction

Vera

The Solitary Summer

The charming, slyly comic novel of romantic longing and transformation that inspired the Oscar-nominated film Escaping dreary London for the sunshine of Italy, four very different women take up an offer advertised in the Times for a “small medieval Italian Castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April.” As each blossoms in the warmth of the Italian spring, quite unexpected changes occur. An immediate bestseller upon its first publication, in 1922, The Enchanted April set off a craze for tourism to the Italian Riviera that continues today. Published here to coincide with a contemporary retelling,Enchanted August by Brenda Bowen, it's a witty ensemble piece and the perfect romantic rediscovery for fans of Jess Walter'sBeautiful Ruins and Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love as well as ofDownton Abbey and the hit movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

The Enchanted April

Dear Husband, she said, actually imitating me. I know what you are going to say. I always know what you are going to say. I know all the things you ever can or ever do say. She paused for a moment, and then added in a firm voice, looking me straight in the eyes, By heart. ' For the Major and his wife Edelgard, the idea of a holiday touring Southern England in a horse-drawn gypsy caravan seems perfect. As they begin their leisurely progress through its green and verdant countryside, the holiday spirit sets in. But England presents more than a contrast of scenery to this German couple - amongst the company of their English companions Edelgard seems to undergo a change of terperament, rebealing herself to be far less biddable than the upright Major had believed. The blossoming of hedgerows is one thing, but the blossoming of his wife is quite another ...

The Caravaners

A collection of songs and nursery rhymes and their origins.

With the Story of how They Came to be Written

The April Baby's Book of Tunes

The story of Princess Priscilla, who is frustrated with her position in the Grand Duchy of Lothen-Kunitz. The Court seems vulgar, the courtiers time-serving, her days dreary and pointless. These feelings are encouraged by Fritzing, her tutor and Duchy librarian. When finally an eligible Prince offers marriage, she abandons her life of luxury. With the help of Fritzing and a maid she escapes to a Somerset village. However she has difficulty adapting: she does not know the value of money and expects deference from those ignorant of her royal status. This leads to misunderstanding and upsets the life of the village.

The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight

Fraulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther

Lo mejor del humor británico y de la novela romántica. «Para aquellos que aprecian las glicinias y el sol. Se alquila pequeño castillo medieval italiano durante el mes de abril.» Un lugar encantador adonde acudirán cuatro mujeres inglesas, hartas y aburridas, escapando de la rutina. Allí, en primavera y en pleno Mediterráneo, conversan, viven y descubren los mejores matices de su sensibilidad, oculta por la monotonía cotidiana. Y todo empezará a cambiar, quizá para siempre. Esta comedia de Elizabeth von Arnim, una de las escritoras más leídas de principios del siglo XX, brinda tanto placer y fascinación hoy como entonces. La crítica ha dicho... «Una prodigiosa mezcla de sensibilidad y tenue humor con una clásica y perfecta estructura en la que destaca su planteamiento.» El País «Divertida y entrañable, se puede devorar en dos o tres sentadas... Viendo la película, usted podrá obtener un porcentaje del placer muy inferior al de la lectura.» Guía del Ocio «Una deliciosa historia, con algunos pasajes geniales y una genuina sensibilidad por el color y la belleza.» The New York Times

Abril encantado

What on earth could have induced Mr Anstruther to fall in love with Fraulein Schmidt? He is an eligible English bachelor from a good family with great expectations; she is the plain, poor, 'spinster' daughter of a German scholar. But Rose-Marie Schmidt is also funny, intelligent, brave and gifted with an irrepressible talent for happiness. The real question is, does Mr Anstruther know how lucky he is?

Sara Morante

Este texto delicioso, que causó gran escándalo cuando Elizabeth von Arnim lo escribió a finales del siglo XIX, vuelve a las lectoras del siglo XXI en esta preciosa edición. A veces, la felicidad esconde tras las verjas de un jardín, lejos de un marido que no te entiende y cerca de tus libros más queridos... Para Elizabeth la felicidad está en la libertad de poder elegir libremente los placeres que la hacen feliz: pasear entre las flores y las plantas de su jardín, ver pasar las estaciones, leer y jugar con sus tres hijas, ajena a la rutina doméstica, a los problemas de la servidumbre y a la incomprensión de su marido. Una inteligente radiografía de los espacios personales, de las relaciones, de la felicidad, de la soledad entendida de la mejor de las maneras, de las decisiones y de las opciones que se toman a la hora de definir cómo, con quién y con qué decidimos ser felices. Con una forma de escribir natural, fácil, y con un sentido del humor perspicaz, descarado y burlón, Elizabeth von Arnim llega a nosotros con un mensaje que cabalga el tiempo y se instala con soltura en la actualidad. Un best seller del siglo XIX que es una delicia para el siglo XXI. Reseña: «Es uno de esos libros para leer despacio, sin prisa, deleitándose con cada frase y cada sentimiento. Simplemente una mujer, su diario, su forma de ver la vida y su jardín, por supuesto. Una obra atemporal que seduce y divierte, escrito de una forma sencilla y elegante. Una joya para releer a placer.» Oly, PaperBlog

Elizabeth y su jardín alemán

Catherine falls in love with Christopher, whom she meets at a poorly attended play, but finds the difference in their ages causes unexpected social ostracism

Love

The Pastor's Wife

Vera is a darkly comic story about Lucy Entwhistle and Everard Wemyss. Both have recently lost someone close to them as the first chapter opens. They meet and at once believe they have found a soul mate in each other. As their relationship progresses we come to understand more of each character's past. Most importantly we learn about Wemyss' late wife, Vera

Vera by Elizabeth Von Arnim (1921) (Twentieth Century Classics)

Fräulein Schmidt and Mr. Anstruther

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Elizabeth Von Arnim

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