April '07 discussion thread: The Enchanted April

[Caryl]

Here is our discussion thread for The Enchanted April, one of our April group reads. As always, be cautious of reading the posts below if you haven't finished, as they may contain spoilers.

[HFD23]

I just got this today through ILL at our library. Can't wait to start it!

ETA: I'm having a difficult time following it - must be the ADD in me, but I just can't seem to stay with her. I don't know if I'll be able to continue reading it or not. I'm very disappointed (in myself, not necessarily in the book choice) - this was the first time I've ever done a "group read".

Is anyone else finding it hard to follow?

[ErinFiat]

Originally Posted by HFD23

Is anyone else finding it hard to follow?

I'm through the first chapter and finding it doesn't flow as well with my brain yet. I'll keep going. So far though, it hasn't been what I'd consider an easy read.

[ErinFiat]

I'm enjoying it now. Yes, it's still a different read for me. But, it's one of those books that I really feel transported into. I'm liking the character development as well. Finding out more about Lady Caroline and her nickname really changed her for me. I don't much care for Mrs. Fisher yet. But like the others.

[Caryl]

I'm glad you're enjoying the book, Erin! I finally have the book out from my library, and it's at the top of my TBR stack now.

Nikki, you might want to try watching the movie. I remember seeing it years ago, and it was really good! If it inspires you to pick up the book again, great, and if not, the movie stands very well on its own and is well worth watching. I hope you can join us for another group read soon.

[Maribeth]

Caryl - I didn't know this was a movie. I'll have to check that out.

I finished the book over the weekend, and after taking a bit to get into it, I enjoyed it. It's as if once they got to Italy, the "enchantment" they all eventually felt was affecting me as well. I would love to take such a vacation.

The writing style did put me on for about 1/3 + of the book. But for me, as busy as I've been lately, I tend to read in 10 to 15 minute increments and this isn't a book you can do that with easily. I also had to switch gears from rapid reading to a more focused reading and that took time to do. Once I did though, the rest of the book didn't feel as difficult to read. In fact, I just picked up The Solitary Summer and am not finding it hard to read/get into at all. I'm glad I stuck with The Enchanted April, but had I picked this up a year ago when life was completely overwhelming, I would have tossed it and probably never picked it up again.

Warning - spoiler . . . .

I did have a quibble and that is with the ending. I suppose the author's intent is that once they all get back to England, they're back to real life - but I don't want to think that Lotty and Mellersh will be back at odds with each other. It's a minor quibble and I'm probably reading way too much into it.

I'm looking forward to reading The Solitary Summer.

[Caryl]

I'm half-way through this book, so Mari, I'm not going to read your post yet. I just wanted to say that I feel the way I think you felt reading it, Erin, transported to this lovely medieval castle and spending time with these wonderful characters. I am chuckling a lot as I read. Mrs. Wilkins is my favorite right now, but each character has had such funny, sweet moments. Loved the bit about Mrs. Fisher, concerned that Scrap/Lady Caroline would catch a cold (how irresponsible!) and then pass it on to her. The nerve.