Ingeborg, fille d’un évêque anglais, croit échapper à son destin en épousant un pasteur allemand. Mais son mariage devient une prison où se heurtent désirs de liberté et carcans sociaux.

« Un élément nouveau inquiète lady Skeffington : elle ne parvient pas à chasser de son esprit le souvenir soudain récurrent de son mari dont elle a pourtant divorcé depuis fort longtemps. C'est une situation sans issue que de tenter de faire disparaître quelqu'un qui n'est pas là, soupire-t-elle. Ni ses anciens amants, sur qui elle cherchera à exercer une ultime séduction, ni même une vieille dame, dont elle sollicitera en vain l'amitié, ne l'aideront à détruire le diagnostic infamant de son psychiatre : sa jeunesse et sa beauté se sont enfuies. Délicatesse de ton, nuances ironiques et humour acerbe, Elizabeth von Arnim, en dépit de son nom allemand, est typiquement anglaise. »

Quelques mois après la mort mystérieuse de Vera, Everard Wemys se remarie avec Lucy, de vingt ans sa cadette. Mais le souvenir omniprésent de Vera, les doutes relatifs à sa mort (accident, suicide, crime ?) font planer sur le couple, qui s'est installé à la campagne dans la grande maison où eut lieu le drame, une ombre noire que ni l'un ni l'autre ne parviendront à chasser. Après avoir lu Vera, Bertrand Russell, alors beau-frère d'Elizabeth von Arnim, avoua : « J'ai donné à mes enfants un conseil de prudence : n'épousez jamais une romancière ».

Elizabeth quittant mari et enfants, a décidé de passer quelques jours en compagnie de sa fidèle femme de chambre, Gertrud, avec sa victoria, son cocher, ses peignoirs et son carton à chapeaux dans l'île de Rügen, en mer Baltique : falaises de craie, forêts de hêtres et de pins, étangs et lacs, c'est une station balnéaire sans prétention. Mais sa solitude est bientôt troublée par la rencontre de l'insupportable épouse d'un évêque anglais - toutefois accompagnée d'un fils « charmant de sa personne » - ainsi que d'une cousine longtemps perdue de vue, mais dont la vie conjugale est fort troublée. Elizabeth découvre ainsi que décidément les îles ne sont pas toujours des havres de calme propices à la solitude. Dès lors ce récit qui avait pour ambition d'être un petit guide de voyage, devient vite un livre plein de rebondissements témoignant du sens de l'ironie ainsi que de l'humour tendre et lucide qui sont la marque de son auteur. Cousine de la romancière Katherine Mansfield, Elizabeth von Arnim (1866-1941) est née Mary « May » Annette Beauchamp en Australie. Elle reçoit une éducation européenne avant d'entamer un grand tour à travers l'Europe, au cours duquel elle rencontre le comte Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin, un aristocrate prussien, cousin du poète romantique Achim von Arnim. Après quelques années passées à Berlin, elle découvre le domaine familial de Nassenheide et décide de s'y installer. En 1898, elle publie anonymement son premier ouvrage, Elizabeth et son jardin allemand, véritable événement littéraire de la fin du siècle. À la mort de son époux, elle s'installe en Suisse et entretient pendant un temps une liaison tapageuse avec l'écrivain H. G. Wells avant un remariage malheureux avec Lord John Russell. D'elle, ont été traduits les titres suivants : L'Été solitaire (1899) ; En caravane (1909) ; Christopher et Colombus (1919) ; Vera(1921) ; Avril enchanté (1922) ; Tous les chiens de ma vie (1936).

Beguiling, witty, and gently comedic, The Enchanted April tells the tale of four very different women who escape dreary London for an Italian castle in Portofino, shortly after World War I. Elizabeth von Arnim's ageless novel compellingly responds to the eternal question of how to achieve happiness in life. An immediate best seller upon its first publication, the story of unlikely female friendship, newfound empowerment, rekindled love, and unexpected romance has been adapted for stage and screen, including a 1991 Oscar-nominated film, and a Tony-nominated play in 2003. This much-beloved book appeals to anyone who appreciates the sly charm of Downton Abbey and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Elizabeth von Arnim (1866-1941) was an Australian-born writer who spent her life in Great Britain and Europe, where she married a German count, raised five children, had an affair with H. G. Wells, and published more than twenty enormously successful books. The cousin of Katherine Mansfield, von Arnim was a member of a literary circle that included Hugh Walpole, E. M. Forster, George Bernard Shaw, and others. She died in 1941 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Since her mother's death, Jennifer has devoted years of her life to her father, managing the family home and acting as his secretary. After the sudden announcement that her father has married again, Jennifer, at 33, seizes the opportunity to lead an independent life. Quickly she secures the lease of Rose Cottage and turns her attention to her own needs and interests.

Romance between a middle-aged widow and a younger man scandalizes 1920s London society in this classic novel by the author of  The Enchanted April. Although they thoroughly enjoy watching performances of  The Immortal Hour, it is no longer the sole reason Catherine and Christopher continue returning to the theater in King's Cross. On Catherine's ninth visit, and Christopher's thirty-sixth, the two theater lovers finally strike up a conversation, and sparks begin to fly. Christopher is infatuated with Catherine and is relieved to discover that her marriage has dissipated. While Catherine appreciates the attention from the handsome, flame-haired gentleman, there is one complication: she is forty-seven years old, and Christopher is twenty-five. But she cannot resist his charms. Soon their public relationship will shock everyone, including Catherine's daughter and son-in-law-who is not much older than Catherine!

Written as a journal, `In the Mountains' tells the story of an English woman who after WWI decides to escape her personal troubles in London and seeks refuge at her chalet in the Swiss Alps. She arrives exhausted, and as she begins to regain her strength, two English women also escaping their personal circumstances show up on her doorstep. The hostess invites them and, together, the three women embark on a strange adventure to help one another. A novel about women and escapism, `In the Mountains' will be enjoyed by fans of `Thelma & Louise'. Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist - a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield - born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany. Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as `Elizabeth' meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

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. Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical Elizabeth and Her German Garden. Published anonymously, it chronicled the protagonist Elizabeth's struggles to create a garden on the family estate and her attempts to integrate into German aristocratic Junker society. In it, she fictionalized her husband as "The Man of Wrath". It was reprinted twenty times by May 1899, a year after its publication. A bitter-sweet memoir and companion to it was The Solitary Summer. Other works, such as The Benefactress The Adventures of Elizabeth on Rügen Vera and Love were also semi-autobiographical. Some titles ensued that deal with protest against domineering Junkertum and witty observations of life in provincial Germany, including The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight and Fräulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther. She would sign her twenty or so books, after the first, initially as "by the author of Elizabeth and Her German Garden" and later simply as "By Elizabeth". In 1909, The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight was turned into a play called The Cottage in the Air, and in 1929 into the film The Runaway Princess, directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Mady Christians. Although Arnim never wrote a conventional autobiography, All the Dogs of My Life, an account of her love for her pets, contains many glimpses of her glittering social circle. Contents: 1. Elizabeth and Her German Garden (1898) 2. The Solitary Summer (1899) 3. The April Baby's Book of Tunes (1900) (Illustrated by Kate Greenaway) 4. The Benefactress (1901) 5. Princess Priscilla's Fortnight (1905) 6. Fräulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther (1907) 7. The Pastor's Wife (1914) 8. Christine (1917) (written under the pseudonym Alice Cholmondeley) 9. Christopher and Columbus (1919) 10. In the Mountains (1920) 11. Vera (1921) 12. The Enchanted April (1922)

Set just before the first world war as the onset of conflict looms, `Christopher and Columbus' tells the story of seventeen-year-old twin orphans, Anna-Rose and Anna-Felicitas as they are thrust upon their relatives by their Uncle Arthur. Arthur, a patriot, is suspicious of their half-German heritage and worries that they may be spying. He ships the twins off to America, and on their voyage, they befriend Mr Twist. However, Twist has not considered the pitfalls of taking the young women under his wings, especially since they cannot behave with tact and will need continued protection long after the ship docks. In this witty and comic novel, the twins arrive in America and take on the nicknames of Christopher and Columbus, as the reader follows their adventures in a country poised for war. A fun and uplifting novel, `Christopher and Columbus' will be enjoyed by fans of `A Series of Unfortunate Events'. Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist - a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield - born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany. Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as `Elizabeth' meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

The novel centres on Rose-Marie Schmidt, a twenty-five-year-old woman who lives with her father, a professor, and is considered a spinster by most of the inhabitants of their small German town. The story weaves in a romantic entanglement as Rose-Marie falls in love with a poor but high-born young Englishman, Roger Anstruther, who is a student of her father's. After Roger professes his love for Rose-Marie, he returns to England, leaving her to write charming letters to her father's former student. A delightful epistolary novel, `Fräulein Schmidt and Mr. Anstruther' will be enjoyed by fans of Jane Austen's novel. Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist - a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield - born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany. Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as `Elizabeth' meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

In Elizabeth von Arnim's humourous novel, "The Pastor's Wife", the main character Ingeborg Bullivant goes on a spontaneous trip to Lucerne and returns engaged to a Prussian pastor. However, her new life as a wife is restrictive, and when the dashing artist Ingram comes into her life and indulges her with musings about Italy, wanderlust temps Ingeborg for a second time. This warm and witty novel is based on von Arnim's own first marriage and will be enjoyed by fans of `Eat, Pray, Love'. Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist - a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield - born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany. Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as `Elizabeth' meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

Based on her second marriage to Frank Russell and a pre-cursor to Daphne du Maurier's `Rebecca', this darkly comic, historical romance is the tale of a naïve young woman named Lucy Entwhistle. When Lucy marries a widower, she is swept under the power of her pathologically narcissistic husband. Her new husband's mansion `The Willows' is haunted by the spirit of his late wife, Vera, whom Lucy soon comes to suspect died by suicide because she no longer wanted to ensure being married to Everard Wemyss. `Vera' is perfect for fans of Emily Brontë's ´Wuthering Heights´. Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist - a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield - born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany. Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as `Elizabeth' meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

Une annonce discrète dans le Times propose à « Ceux qui Apprécient la Glycine et le Soleil » de louer un petit château médiéval dans une baie de la Riviera italienne. En ce mois d'avril, cette invitation réunit sur la côte méditerranéenne quatre femmes que tout oppose : Mrs Wilkins, épouse dénigrée ; Mrs Arbuthnot, aussi mélancolique que dévote ; Mrs Fisher, veuve redoutable ; et lady Caroline Dester, aristocrate au charme enchanteur. Fuyant le poids et la grisaille de leurs quotidiens, elles commencent à s'épanouir dans la douce chaleur du printemps italien. C'est alors que, parmi les roses, les lys et le jasmin, l'inattendu se produit. Le bonheur frapperait-il enfin à leur porte ?

Escape to a World of Renewal with "The Enchanted April" by Elizabeth von ArnimDiscover the transformative power of friendship, hope, and renewal in Elizabeth von Arnim's beloved classic, "The Enchanted April." Set against the idyllic backdrop of a sun-drenched Italian castle, this enchanting novel follows four women from different walks of life who, seeking respite from their mundane routines and personal struggles, embark on a spontaneous journey to find happiness and rediscover themselves. As they share the beauty of the Italian countryside, their lives are subtly transformed by the magic of the landscape and the camaraderie they forge. With lyrical prose and keen insight into human nature, von Arnim explores themes of liberation, love, and the healing power of nature. This timeless story invites readers to believe in the possibility of renewal and the joy of unexpected friendships, making it a perfect escape into a world of serenity and hope.Elizabeth von Arnim (1866-1941) was a renowned British-Australian novelist celebrated for her wit, charm, and keen observations of human relationships. Born in Australia and raised in England, she authored numerous novels that often explore themes of love, self-discovery, and societal expectations. Her writing is characterized by elegant prose, humor, and a deep understanding of her characters' inner lives. "The Enchanted April" remains her most famous work, cherished for its lyrical storytelling and timeless appeal, inspiring generations to seek beauty and happiness in everyday life.

Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read. This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter. - Reading time of the complete text: about 7 hours - Reading time of the summarized text: 16 minutes The Enchanted April is a novel by Elizabeth von Arnim, published in 1922, which follows four women from 1920s England who leave their unhappy marriages to go on holiday in Italy. The women are Mrs. Arbuthnot, Mrs. Wilkins, Lady Caroline Dester, and Mrs. Fisher. They find common ground in their desire to escape their rainy, grey environments and take on the expenses of renting a small medieval castle on the Mediterranean for the month of April. The novel explores their interpersonal tensions and eventual coming together at the castle, where they find rejuvenation in the tranquil beauty of their surroundings and rediscover hope and love. The Enchanted April has been adapted for the stage and screen multiple times, including as a Broadway play in 1925, a 1935 American feature film, and an Academy Award-nominated feature film in 1991.

Step into the enchanting world of "The Enchanted April" by Elizabeth von Arnim, a captivating novel that whisks readers away to the sunny shores of Italy. Set in the 1920s, the story follows the transformative journey of four diverse women who embark on a shared holiday to escape their mundane lives. Lottie Wilkins and Rose Arbuthnot, two dissatisfied Englishwomen, discover an advertisement for a month-long rental of an Italian castle. Eager for change, they enlist two other women, Mrs. Fisher and Lady Caroline, to join them on this unexpected adventure. As the women arrive at the captivating San Salvatore castle on the Italian Riviera, they are greeted by lush gardens, stunning views, and an atmosphere that promises renewal. Away from their familiar routines, the women's interactions, conflicts, and newfound friendships unfold against the backdrop of this idyllic escape. Each woman's journey is a symphony of personal growth and self-discovery. The novel delicately explores themes of love, rejuvenation, and the power of shared experiences. As the enchanting April unfolds, the women's lives transform, revealing hidden desires, buried secrets, and the possibility of new beginnings. Von Arnim's evocative prose captures the magic of Italy's landscapes and the blossoming connections between the characters. "The Enchanted April" is a delightful exploration of the transformative power of nature, friendship, and the promise of second chances. Readers will be transported to a world where beauty, introspection, and renewal reign supreme, making it an enchanting read for those seeking a tale of self-discovery and the joys of life's unexpected journeys. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Elisabeth von Arnim, a spirited and independent soul born in 1866, graced the literary world with her wit and wisdom. Hailing from a German aristocratic family, she embraced the art of storytelling with a unique blend of humor and keen observation. Her pen danced across the pages, weaving tales that captured the essence of life's intricacies. Von Arnim's literary journey took her through a diverse range of experiences, from her poignant debut 'Elizabeth and Her German Garden' to her satirical masterpiece 'The Enchanted April.' With an unerring knack for depicting complex emotions and human relationships, she painted characters with vibrant strokes, breathing life into their joys and struggles. Her novels, often influenced by her personal escapades, charmed readers with their relatability and enchanting narratives. A remarkable woman of her time, von Arnim's works echoed her belief in the power of laughter and the solace of nature. Through her writings, she invited readers into a world where escapades were aplenty, and the magic of ordinary moments shone brightly. Elisabeth von Arnim's legacy continues to flourish, inspiring us to embrace life's adventures and find delight in the everyday.

"To Those Who Appreciate Wistaria and Sunshine:" strikingly evocative words in the gloom of a rainy February in London... In this delightful novel, four very different women, strangers united only by a profound dissatisfaction with their lives, leave behind the dreary end of a London winter to spend the month of April in a mediaeval castle in Italy. The exuberant beauty of the Italian coast in full bloom of spring has an unexpected and powerful effect, reawakening their capacity for hope and joy. Love and friendship soon transform each of them in unexpected ways... Elizabeth von Arnim's sly wit and keen, subtly feminist observations give this story its charm, made irresistible by the underlying warmth and humanity. Born Mary Annette Beauchamp in 1866 in Australia, von Arnim was an English novelist. Her books were originally published under the pseudonym "Elizabeth", a name she eventually adopted for personal use as well. The Enchanted April, published in 1922, is her most famous work and has inspired film and stage adaptations.

In 1901, the author - the real Elizabeth - went on a trip to the Baltic island of Rügen with her maid, a chauffeur, a friend, and a carriage piled high with their luggage. From this, she weaves a captivating tale of her encounters in this semi-autobiographical novel. A snobbish bishop's wife and her handsome son, a dressmaker, and a long-lost cousin Charlotte form the basis of this story, as Charlotte tries to evade the pursuit of her husband. Elizabeth von Arnim's humorous novel `The Adventures of Elizabeth in Rügen' will be enjoyed by fans of Thomas Hardy's `Far From the Madding Crowd'. Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist - a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield - born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany. Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as `Elizabeth' meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

Orphan Anna's life is changed for the better when she inherits an estate from her maternal uncle. Kind and intelligent, Anna decides to pass on some of her wealth by setting up a home for twelve women who have been mistreated throughout their life. These twelve women will be freed from financial worries, and will therefore not need to marry. Instead, they will be able to live in a place of natural beauty, forming a group of friends. Her goal is to make the women happy but achieving that may be harder than imagined... `The Benefactress' by Elizabeth von Arnim is a humorous historical fiction classic that will be enjoyed by fans of `Great Expectations'. Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist - a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield - born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany. Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as `Elizabeth' meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

"Last night after dinner, when we were in the garden, I said, "I want to be alone for a whole summer, and get to the very dregs of life. I want to be as idle as I can, so that my soul may have time to grow." This witty tale of a rejuvenating summer is a semi-autobiographical tale told in the form of diary entries from a nameless narrator. In it, a woman spends her summer in her garden, away from the social world that she was trained to reside in with all its rules and conventions. Despite the name of the book, the nameless female narrator does not spend her entire summer alone but is instead joined by her daughters and husband - the latter of which she has nicknamed `The Man of Wrath'. A sequel to her famous début `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', `The Solitary Summer' will delight fans of `Downton Abbey' and ´Bridgerton', whose narratives feature the same social world our heroine is trying to escape. Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist - a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield - born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany. Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as `Elizabeth' meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

The only novel published under the pen-name Alice Cholmondeley, `Christine' gives insight into von Arnim's thoughts about the atrocities of World War I. The story is told through a series of letters to her mother in Britain from the titular Christine, an English girl who is studying in Germany in 1914 in the lead up to World War I. Initially marketed as non-fiction, this novel could be a semi-autobiographical account of von Arnim's own daughters, Beatrix and Felicitas, who were living in Germany during World War I. `Christine' will be enjoyed by fans of 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society'. Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist - a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield - born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany. Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as `Elizabeth' meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

Suspected to be written as a true-to-life fairy tale for Elizabeth von Arnim's own children, `The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight' tells the story of Princess Priscilla, a well-known German princess who has grown tired of her lavish and pampered lifestyle. Her mentor, Herr Fritzing, has been teaching her about the wide world outside the castle walls and Priscilla yearns to escape and explore it. `The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight' will be enjoyed by fans of `The Princess Diaries'. Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist - a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield - born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany. Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work `Elizabeth and Her German Garden', published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as `Elizabeth' meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

Con uno straordinario esercizio di agrodolce ironia, Elizabeth von Arnim ci trasporta nell'universo "très chic" e al contempo estremamente ipocrita dell'alta società inglese. Sospeso fra l'atmosfera soffocante di Londra e i variopinti giardini della Provenza, "La fattoria dei gelsomini" prende le mosse da uno scandalo. Terry, la giovane figlia della rispettatissima lady Daisy, ha infatti avuto un'avventura con Andrew, scatenando le gelosie della moglie Rosie e, soprattutto, la perfidia di lady Belle, che non esiterà a ricorrere a un vile ricatto... Elizabeth von Arnim, pseudonimo di Mary Annette Beauchamp (1866-1941), nasce a Sydney da un'agiata famiglia britannica, ma trascorrerà gran parte della sua vita fra Europa e Stati Uniti. Esordisce nel 1899 con "Il giardino di Elizabeth", primo di una serie di romanzi a sfondo autobiografico. Dall'infelice matrimonio col conte Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin, durante il quale vive in Germania, nasceranno cinque figli. Negli anni successivi alla morte del primo marito e alla separazione dal secondo, l'autrice abiterà in Svizzera, sulla Costa Azzurra e infine negli Stati Uniti. Dei suoi ben ventuno romanzi - che conobbero tutti una grandissima fama anche all'epoca e che vengono ripubblicati ancora oggi - si possono citare "Il circolo delle ingrate", "Vi presento Sally" e "Vera".

Priscilla, figlia del granduca di Lothen-Kunitiz, si sente oppressa dai continui obblighi sociali a cui il proprio rango la costringe. Etichetta di corte, protocolli e vuote convenzioni non le interessano nel modo più assoluto. Così, quando si profila all'orizzonte la prospettiva - tutt'altro che agognata - di dover sposare un lontano cugino, la giovane granduchessa prende finalmente una decisione che matura da tempo: ritirarsi in un tranquillo cottage nella campagna inglese e dedicarsi soltanto alla beneficienza. Al suo seguito solo il bibliotecario Fritzing e la cameriera Annalise. Elizabeth von Arnim, col piglio arguto che l'ha resa celebre, ci trascina in una vicenda tragicomica, in cui l'ottusa volubilità umana si scontra con il muro insensibile della dura realtà fattuale. A volte, forse, ambire alla bontà non è sufficiente. E poi - come sembra suggerirci l'autrice - che cos'è, a conti fatti, questa tanto decantata bontà? Elizabeth von Arnim, pseudonimo di Mary Annette Beauchamp (1866-1941), nasce a Sydney da un'agiata famiglia britannica, ma trascorrerà gran parte della sua vita fra Europa e Stati Uniti. Esordisce nel 1899 con "Il giardino di Elizabeth", primo di una serie di romanzi a sfondo autobiografico. Dall'infelice matrimonio col conte Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin, durante il quale vive in Germania, nasceranno cinque figli. Negli anni successivi alla morte del primo marito e alla separazione dal secondo, l'autrice abiterà in Svizzera, sulla Costa Azzurra e infine negli Stati Uniti. Dei suoi ben ventuno romanzi - che conobbero tutti una grandissima fama anche all'epoca e che vengono ripubblicati ancora oggi - si possono citare "Il circolo delle ingrate", "Vi presento Sally" e "Vera".

Nel suo folgorante esordio letterario - che contò ben ventuno riedizioni nel solo 1899 - Elizabeth von Arnim riporta, sotto forma di diario e in prima persona, le impressioni semiautobiografiche della sua vita in Germania. Per sfuggire alla frenesia urbana, Elizabeth chiede al marito, un nobile prussiano, di trasferirsi nella tenuta estiva di Nassenheide, in Pomerania. Circondata soltanto dalle tre figlie, e visitata occasionalmente dalle amiche Irais e Minora, la donna riscopre ben presto sé stessa, il valore della solitudine e quella libertà che il marito (l'Uomo della Collera) sembra volerle negare ad ogni costo. Impegnata a leggere e a sorseggiare tè, all'ombra dei suoi amati lillà, la protagonista ci trascina con sé in un'oasi di pace: ma anche in una prigione dorata della quale, con estrema modernità, Elizabeth von Arnim ha saputo cogliere le più sottili implicazioni sociali... Elizabeth von Arnim (1866-1941), pseudonimo di Mary Annette Beauchamp, nasce a Sydney da un'agiata famiglia britannica. Trascorrerà gran parte della sua vita fra l'Europa e gli Stati Uniti. Esordisce nel 1899 con "Il giardino di Elizabeth", primo di una serie di romanzi a sfondo autobiografico. Dall'infelice matrimonio col conte Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin, durante il quale vive in Germania, nasceranno cinque figli. Dopo la morte del marito (1910), ha una relazione con H.G. Wells, per poi sposarsi in seconde nozze con John Francis Stanley Russell, fratello del filosofo Bertrand. Dal 1919 vive separata da Russell, pur non divorziando mai, abitando in Svizzera, sulla Costa Azzurra e infine negli Stati Uniti. Fra i suoi ben ventuno romanzi - che conobbero tutti una grandissima fama anche all'epoca - si possono citare "Il circolo delle ingrate", "Vi presento Sally" e "Vera".

Luglio 1919. Dopo una lunga passeggiata, Elizabeth raggiunge il suo chalet in montagna, con ancora negli occhi gli orrori della guerra appena trascorsa. Le montagne svizzere rappresentano una meta sicura dove il silenzio e la bellezza possono offrire il conforto e la pace a lungo agognati. Ogni cosa, tuttavia, sembra ormai cambiata e la casa, un tempo piena di amici, si è fatta ora vuota e silenziosa. Proprio il giorno del suo compleanno, però, Elizabeth riceve un regalo inaspettato: due donne giungono per caso allo chalet in cerca di un luogo dove poter riprendere fiato dalla camminata. Dal piacevole incontro nasce un'amicizia che porta le tre donne a trascorrere insieme le seguenti settimane estive, tra incontri, amori e vergognosi segreti sepolti nel passato. Elizabeth von Arnim, pseudonimo di Mary Annette Beauchamp (1866-1941), nasce a Sydney da un'agiata famiglia britannica, ma trascorrerà gran parte della sua vita fra Europa e Stati Uniti. Esordisce nel 1899 con "Il giardino di Elizabeth", primo di una serie di romanzi a sfondo autobiografico. Dall'infelice matrimonio col conte Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin, durante il quale vive in Germania, nasceranno cinque figli. Negli anni successivi alla morte del primo marito e alla separazione dal secondo, l'autrice abiterà in Svizzera, sulla Costa Azzurra e infine negli Stati Uniti. Dei suoi ben ventuno romanzi - che conobbero tutti una grandissima fama anche all'epoca e che vengono ripubblicati ancora oggi - si possono citare "Il circolo delle ingrate", "Vi presento Sally" e "Vera".

Written by an author born in Australia, grew up in England, married in Germany, and then flew to the United States. A tale about a young woman, freed up from the bonds of her family life, to wonder all around in search of all things feminist. The story seems somewhat autobiographical, surrounded in disillusionment and humor. Written on the eve of World War I and just back from married life in Germany.

Una mattina estiva del 1920 la giovane Lucy perde il padre improvvisamente ritrovandosi sola e disperata, senza speranze. È uno sconosciuto a risvegliarla dal torpore che il lutto le ha causato: il legame con Everard Wemyss, quarantenne rimasto vedovo da poco, è immediato, e la condivisa sofferenza per la recente perdita dà origine a una confortante intimità. Ma il matrimonio con Wemyss sarà diverso da come Lucy aveva sognato: le mura di casa diverranno quelle di una tetra prigione dove i giorni sono scanditi da rituali irrazionali; un luogo in cui Lucy non si sentirà mai davvero accolta e dove la prima moglie, Vera, morta in circostanze misteriose, si rivelerà un'entità ancora presente e tangibile. Elizabeth von Arnim (1866-1941), pseudonimo di Mary Annette Beauchamp, nasce a Sydney da un'agiata famiglia britannica. Trascorrerà gran parte della sua vita fra l'Europa e gli Stati Uniti. Esordisce nel 1899 con "Il giardino di Elizabeth", primo di una serie di romanzi a sfondo autobiografico. Dall'infelice matrimonio col conte Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin, durante il quale vive in Germania, nasceranno cinque figli. Dopo la morte del marito (1910), ha una relazione con H.G. Wells, per poi sposarsi in seconde nozze con John Francis Stanley Russell, fratello del filosofo Bertrand. Dal 1919 vive separata da Russell, pur non divorziando mai, abitando in Svizzera, sulla Costa Azzurra e infine negli Stati Uniti. Fra i suoi ben ventuno romanzi - che conobbero tutti una grandissima fama anche all'epoca - si possono citare "Il circolo delle ingrate", "Vi presento Sally" e "Vera".

Elizabeth and Her German Garden is a novel by Elizabeth von Arnim, first published in 1898; it was very popular and frequently reprinted during the early years of the 20th century. The story is a year's diary written by the protagonist Elizabeth about her experiences learning gardening and interacting with her friends. It includes commentary on the beauty of nature and on society, but is primarily humorous due to Elizabeth's frequent mistakes and her idiosyncratic outlook on life. She looked down upon the frivolous fashions of her time writing "I believe all needlework and dressmaking is of the devil, designed to keep women from study.' The book is the first in a series about the same character. It is noteworthy for being published without a named author. (Summary by Wikipedia)

Four very different women, with very different reasons for wanting to escape a cold and dreary London, come together to share a month's holiday in a medieval castle. They are brought there by the promise of the advertised 'wisteria and sunshine', but they find so much more than they bargained for, as the place transforms them and changes their lives in ways they could never have expected. The novel is dominated by four wonderfully drawn characters: timid Lotty Wilkins, terrified of her domineering husband; sober and religious Rose Arbuthnot; rigid and judgemental Mrs Fisher; and the breathtakingly beautiful but disillusioned and unhappy Lady Caroline Dester. Von Arnim's story of their transformation under the Italian sun is warm, witty, intelligent, and as enchanting as the title suggests. - Summary by Helen Taylor

Elizabeth von Arnim's novel "Elizabeth and Her German Garden" was first published in 1898. It was instantly popular and has gone through numerous reprints ever since. This story is the main character Elizabeth's diary, where she relates stories from her life, as she learns to tend to her garden. Whilst the novel has a strongly autobiographical tone, it is also very humorous and satirical, due to Elizabeth's frequent mistakes and her idiosyncratic outlook on life. She comments on the beauty of nature and shares her view on society, looking down on the frivolous fashions of her time and writing "I believe all needlework and dressmaking is of the devil, designed to keep women from study." The book is the first in a series about the same character. Elizabeth von Arnim (1866-1941), née Mary Annette Beauchamp, was a British novelist. Born in Australia, her family returned to England when she was three years old; and she was Katherine Mansfield's cousin. She was first married to a Prussian aristocrat, the Graf von Arnim-Schlagenthin, and later to the philosopher Bertrand Russel's older brother, Frank, whom she left a year later. She then had an affair with the publisher Alexander Reeves, a man thirty years her junior, and with H.G. Wells. Von Arnim moved a lot, living alternatively in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, before dying of influenza in South Carolina during the Second War. Elizabeth von Arnim was an active member of the European literary scene, and entertained many of her contemporaries in her Chalet Soleil in Switzerland. She even hired E. M. Forster and Hugh Walpole as tutors for her five children. She is famous for her half-autobiographical, satirical novel "Elizabeth and her German Garden" (1898), as well as for "Vera" (1921), and "The Enchanted April" (1922).