A Trio of Stories: The Enchanted April & The Solitary Summer & Vera

The Enchanted A notice in The Times addressed to 'Those who Appreciate Wistaria and Sunshine' advertises a 'small mediaeval Italian Castle on the shores of the Mediterranean to be let furnished for the month of April'. Four very different women take up the offer, escaping dreary London for the sunshine of Italy. Among the party are Mrs Wilkins and Mrs Arthuthnot, both fleeing unappreciative husbands; beautiful Lady Caroline, sick of being 'grabbed' by lovestruck men; and the imperious Mrs Fisher, who spends her time remembering the bearded 'great men' she knew in her Victorian childhood. By the end of their holiday, all the women will fall completely under the spell of Italy in this funny, insightful and very charming novel. "The Solitary Summer" is a witty, lyrical account of a rejuvenating summer. Descriptions of magnificent larkspurs and burning nasturiums give way to those of cooling forest walks--and of clambering up a mud bank when the miller is not in view. Rainy days prompt a little philanthropy, until the sun returns the gardener to the refuge of her beloved plants. In her introduction, Deborah Kellaway "All of von Arnim's heroines are escapists. They escape from riches to the simple life, or from conventional home life into foreign travel...In her first two books "[Elizabeth and Her German Garden" and "The Solitary Summer]," the escape is simply into the garden...And it is her capacity to present her joy in that place that made the books bestsellers. Here readers are escaping, with her, into happiness." 'A funny, sumptuous and invigorating vacation for the mind and soul ... refreshing, charming and romantic' Erica Bauermeister, 500 Great Books by Women At one level an escapist fantasy, at another a parable about the liberation of the spirit, this delicious confection will work its magic on all.' 'The Daily Telegraph Considered by many to be von Arnim's finest work, VERA is a startling exploration of sex and violence. Lucy Entwhistle's beloved father has just died, and aged twenty-two, she finds herself alone in the world. Leaning against her garden gate, dazed and unhappy, she is disturbed by the sudden appearance of the perspiring Mr Wemyss.