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Mo's Reviews > The Enchanted April
The Enchanted April
by
by
Mo's review
bookshelves: brit-lit, 0-dl, library-gutenberg, 2013, read-more-than-once, charming, x-sbc-read, 2024, books-to-read-again, w-audiobook, w-nypl
Mar 20, 2013
bookshelves: brit-lit, 0-dl, library-gutenberg, 2013, read-more-than-once, charming, x-sbc-read, 2024, books-to-read-again, w-audiobook, w-nypl
Read 2 times. Last read May 13, 2024 to May 18, 2024.
UPDATE: May 24, 2024
Still very good, but I preferred reading the hard copy.
Audiobook
Narrated by Robin Siegerman
Duration: 09:32:55
ORIGINAL REVIEW
I found myself so ‘enchanted� by this book that I was inspired to create a new GoodReads shelf entitled ‘charming�.
I thought the writing was a bit dated at first, but once I got into the book I didn’t even notice it anymore. The beginning of the book was a little slow, and the ending seemed very rushed, but the middle� ah, the middle was perfection. I had no idea that this was going to turn out to be a farce, and a very clever one at that. I frequently found myself laughing out loud.
The writing was deceptively simple, but really well done. I could see each character clearly, and hear their voices in my head. For me, that is the hallmark of excellent writing. I loved them all, but I adored Mrs. Fisher.
While this was a very good book, I don’t know that it was the best selection for my book club, as there is really not that much to discuss. Nothing really HAPPENS! No car chases, no murders to solve, no riddles to untangle, no gripping tension. It was a charming character study� but that’s fine by me, because I LIKE character studies!
I watched the movie adaptation right after I finished the book. While the novel seemed to slowly evolve and reveal itself in layers, the movie had a totally different pacing and seemed very rushed to me. Had I not read the book first, I might have been scratching my head in puzzlement at the rapid developments and the lightning changes in characterizations.
Of course, being a BBC production, it was wonderful to see the authenticity of the time period. And Joan Plowright was excellent as Mrs. Fisher.
“Upon my word," thought Mrs. Fisher, "the way one pretty face can turn a delightful man into an idiot is past all patience.� � Elizabeth von Arnim, The Enchanted April
One thing I should mention about the movie� they changed the ending!
NOTE: I had no idea that Joan Plowright had been married to Sir Laurence Olivier for almost 30 years. Several of his bios don’t even mention this fact, just his marriage to Vivien Leigh.
Read with SBC September 2013
Still very good, but I preferred reading the hard copy.
Audiobook
Narrated by Robin Siegerman
Duration: 09:32:55
ORIGINAL REVIEW
I found myself so ‘enchanted� by this book that I was inspired to create a new GoodReads shelf entitled ‘charming�.
I thought the writing was a bit dated at first, but once I got into the book I didn’t even notice it anymore. The beginning of the book was a little slow, and the ending seemed very rushed, but the middle� ah, the middle was perfection. I had no idea that this was going to turn out to be a farce, and a very clever one at that. I frequently found myself laughing out loud.
The writing was deceptively simple, but really well done. I could see each character clearly, and hear their voices in my head. For me, that is the hallmark of excellent writing. I loved them all, but I adored Mrs. Fisher.
While this was a very good book, I don’t know that it was the best selection for my book club, as there is really not that much to discuss. Nothing really HAPPENS! No car chases, no murders to solve, no riddles to untangle, no gripping tension. It was a charming character study� but that’s fine by me, because I LIKE character studies!
I watched the movie adaptation right after I finished the book. While the novel seemed to slowly evolve and reveal itself in layers, the movie had a totally different pacing and seemed very rushed to me. Had I not read the book first, I might have been scratching my head in puzzlement at the rapid developments and the lightning changes in characterizations.
Of course, being a BBC production, it was wonderful to see the authenticity of the time period. And Joan Plowright was excellent as Mrs. Fisher.
“Upon my word," thought Mrs. Fisher, "the way one pretty face can turn a delightful man into an idiot is past all patience.� � Elizabeth von Arnim, The Enchanted April
One thing I should mention about the movie� they changed the ending!
NOTE: I had no idea that Joan Plowright had been married to Sir Laurence Olivier for almost 30 years. Several of his bios don’t even mention this fact, just his marriage to Vivien Leigh.
Read with SBC September 2013
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Reading Progress
March 20, 2013
– Shelved
September 2, 2013
–
Started Reading
September 5, 2013
–
Finished Reading
May 13, 2024
–
Started Reading
May 18, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-4 of 4 (4 new)
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message 1:
by
Margitte
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Apr 05, 2015 07:13AM
I would love to see the movie as well. The book was indeed really charming.
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Margitte, the movie is available on Netflix. It was interesting to see the differences between the book and the movie.
I saw the movie, which was alright. Maybe I should read the novel. Will give it a try.
Claude, I don't think I would have liked the movie quite so much had I not read the book first. I didn't think it was nearly as funny. The book is not belly-laugh funny, more of a dry wit thing.
