Elizabeth And Her German Garden, and The Enchanted April

by Elizabeth von Arnim

"Elizabeth and her German Garden" is the first book by Marie Annette Beauchamp-known all her life as "Elizabeth". The semi-autobiographical book, anonymously published, under the name Elizabeth, was an incredible success, going through printing after printing over the next few years. "The Enchanted April" is von Armin's best known work. It has been made into a successful film, and has made famous the Italian resort where it is set, Portofino.

Genres: Classics

252 pages, Hardcover

First published January 19, 2015

About the author

Elizabeth von Arnim, born Mary Annette Beauchamp, was an English novelist. Born in Australia, she married a German aristocrat, and her earliest works are set in Germany. Her first marriage made her Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin and her second Elizabeth Russell, Countess Russell. After her first husband's death, she had a three-year affair with the writer H.G. Wells, then later married Earl Russell, elder brother of the Nobel prize-winner and philosopher Bertrand Russell. She was a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield. Though known in early life as May, her first book introduced her to readers as Elizabeth, which she eventually became to friends and finally to family. Her writings are ascribed to Elizabeth von Arnim. She used the pseudonym Alice Cholmondeley for only one novel, Christine, published in 1917.

Reviews

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading The Enchanted April and absolutely loved it <3 It is definitely a book that I will put on my rereads shelf. I just loved seeing how each of the four ladies "blossomed." I could imagine seeing and smelling the beautiful flowers and surrounding scenery. Someday I want to stay in a place exactly like this. Hopefully, since I am learning Italian, it may happen someday. :)

[Maxine Cuarto · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The wisteria was tumbling over itself in its excess of life, its prodigality of flowering; and where the pergola ended the sun blazed on scarlet geraniums, bushes of them and nasturtiums in great heaps, and marigolds so brilliant that they seemed to be burning, and red and pink snap dragons all out doing each other and bright, fierce color.”

“Such beauty; and she there to see it. Such beauty; and she alive to feel it.”

[Erin Cho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this as a mother and caretaker to many....oh the years spent wanting to be in the garden rather than in the house. And how much easier the days were when the children, my MIL, other family members could be outside rather than in.
Eventually made a life that placed me outside most of every day...and couldn't be happier. However, while reading, I was distracted by the sociopolitical (I often get stuck there) nuances of the rich, landed German woman raising children in a particularly troubled society, at least troubled in my mind since I knew what was looming. The prose was capitivating, especially for someone who loves flowers as much as Elizabeth did, but I spent more time thinking about what happened to the April, May and June babies in that world - did they support the Third Reich? Did they even stay in Germany? I will have to google that when I have time. But now I will head back into the garden....

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely descriptions. I would like an April in that home.