The Enchanted April

Utterly charming!  Possibly the first ‘Girls’ Getaway’ story – and it set the bar pretty high.  When it was published in 1922, I have to believe the idea of women taking a little vacay without husband and family was outlandish.  But that’s exactly what the four randomly acquainted ladies in this novel do!  It all starts (before VRBO) with a newspaper ad listing a villa in Italy for rent for the month of April.  Mrs. Wilkins (dull) sees it first and wistfully wishes such a thing were possible – and boy could she use a break from Mr. Wilkins.  Then she spies Mrs. Arbuthnot (pious) reading the same ad and though she doesn’t know her, only knows of her, makes the bold move to propose they consider going in on it together.  It turns out to be too expensive for these middle class women, so they recruit two more by putting word out (before Facebook) and this yields Mrs. Fisher (snobby) and Lady Caroline Dester (scandalous).  Four more different women could not have been thrown together any more haphazardly, or have more different reasons for wanting to get away.  But the Italian sunshine melts defenses and warms hearts and though half the month is spent getting used to each other, the remainder cements a friendship.  It is a comedy of manners with one big fat surprise, and an exquisite setting that fosters blossoming.  And now “girl time” (night out, weekend away) is a standard!  Thank you, Ms. von Armin! - Carrie