The Enchanted April
1922
Four women answer a newspaper advertisement for an Italian castle in February, when London is at its grayest. Mrs. Wilkins and Mrs. Arbuthnot, trapped in joyless marriages and tedious routines, convince two strangers to share the cost of renting a medieval villa in Portofino for April. What begins as a desperate escape from English dreariness becomes something far more profound: a month of wisteria-draped terraces, Mediterranean sun, and the slow unmasking of four women who have forgotten what contentment feels like. Each arrives carrying invisible weight, neglect, resentment, years of putting everyone else's needs before her own. What unfolds in that enchanted castle is not merely a holiday, but a quiet revolution. This 1922 bestseller remains irresistible because it argues, with wit and warmth, that women deserve beauty and happiness, and that sometimes the most radical act is simply claiming joy. For anyone who has ever stared at gray rain and dreamed of sun.
About The Enchanted April
Chapter Summaries
- 1
- Mrs. Wilkins, a neglected wife, sees an advertisement for a medieval Italian castle to let for April and dreams of escape. She then encounters Mrs. Arbuthnot, a pious but unhappy woman, also reading the advertisement, and impulsively suggests they share the cost.
- 2
- Mrs. Arbuthnot, despite her reservations about self-indulgence, agrees to send an inquiry for the castle. Both women feel guilty about their secret act. Mrs. Arbuthnot reflects on her unhappy marriage to Frederick, a writer of scandalous memoirs, and her life of duty and charity.
- 3
- The castle owner, Mr. Briggs, replies with a high rent and demands for references. Mrs. Arbuthnot pays the full rent in advance, charming Mr. Briggs. Mrs. Wilkins then proposes they find two more ladies to share expenses, and they interview Lady Caroline Dester and Mrs. Fisher, who eventually waive references.
Key Themes
- Escape and Liberation
- The primary motivation for the women is to escape their mundane, unhappy lives in London, characterized by oppressive husbands, societal expectations, and personal duties. San Salvatore offers a physical and psychological space for them to shed these burdens.
- Transformation and Self-Discovery
- The idyllic setting of San Salvatore acts as a powerful catalyst for the characters to shed their old selves and discover new, often suppressed, aspects of their personalities. Each woman undergoes a significant internal change, leading to greater happiness and self-awareness.
- The Nature of Happiness
- The book explores various facets of happiness, from selfish indulgence to selfless love, and how it can be found or lost. It suggests that true happiness comes from within and from genuine connection, rather than external circumstances or rigid adherence to duty.
Characters
- Mrs. Wilkins(protagonist)
- A shy, neglected wife who finds liberation and joy in Italy, becoming more confident and loving.
- Mrs. Arbuthnot(protagonist)
- A pious, dutiful wife burdened by her husband's profession and her own self-imposed austerity, who yearns for love and connection.
- Lady Caroline Dester(supporting)
- A beautiful, cynical socialite tired of being admired and pursued, who seeks solitude and self-discovery.
- Mrs. Fisher(supporting)
- An elderly, intellectual widow who clings to the past and propriety, but is subtly transformed by the atmosphere of San Salvatore.
- Mr. Wilkins(minor)
- Mrs. Wilkins's husband, a respectable solicitor who is initially controlling and thrifty, but becomes amiable and appreciative in Italy.
- Frederick Arbuthnot(minor)
- Mrs. Arbuthnot's husband, a writer of scandalous memoirs, emotionally distant, who unexpectedly arrives at San Salvatore and reconciles with his wife.
