I discovered this book by sheer accident when wandering around Waterstones in Colchester on a wet, rainy day and for some reason picked this up wondering who on earth this author was. Ten minutes later after standing reading the first two chapters and discovering that a downtrodden, middle aged woman, seeking refuge from her boring life and the pouring rain, decided to rent a castle in Italy for a month I knew this was for me. How could I resist? Book duly bought and back home. Three hours later back in Waterstones, checking for other books by Elizabeth von Arnim, and came home with the five that were then currently in print. And, thus, my love for this author was born.
Since then I have scoured bookshops and internet sites and have managed to obtain all but one of her titles. I have spent the last year or two fruitlessly searching for a copy of In the Mountains to finish my collection, but as the cheapest one I could track down was £200+ I decided to let it go. I have since discovered that Virago are to publish this long lost book this year and of course I was totally thrilled to bits. BUT what sort of cover will they use? I have written to them, but have received not reply so will try again, methinks. It simply must have a Green copy. It must. Watch this space .....
This is the original cover of The Enchanted April. The copy I purchased had Josie Lawrence on the front, a still from the film, and was not a cover I particularly liked, but as I was unaware of the above I settled with it until one day came across this edition on a website and purchased it instantly. I love its clarity, texture and colour and I am afraid my previous copy went to a charity shop and this took its place (sorry Josie, nothing personal).
A year or two ago Virago reprinted Fraulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther and used the same Green cover as originally. I found this somewhat puzzling as all the other E von A they have in print, had the more modern covers (which I dislike intensely - now there is a surprise...) so was slightly bemused by the decision not to update this one. Why? Then Vera (her masterpiece I think) was reprinted, new picture, but still in the style of the Green covers. Delighted to see this and then what did they do? Yellow sticker on front 'By author of Elizabeth and the German Garden', went to peel it off and found to my utter amazement that it was an integral part of the cover and could not be removed. Totally barmy. Out it went and in came an original edition.
If you have not read any Elizabeth von Arnim then I do beg you to try them. All of them, without exception, are beautifully written, they are witty and funny and will make your chortle. Vera, a portrait of an abusive marriage, is a stand out novel in her bibliography, the one that she regards as her 'proper' novel and stands the test of time. This one will not make you laugh, but it might make you wince - chilling and stunning.
If proof were needed that any Virago book with a Green cover sent out a signal that there are joys and wonderful discoveries contained therein, then The Enchanted April provides it, in spades.
