I seem to be suffering from a plague of indecisiveness at the moment – I’m finding it hard to make up my mind which particular book I want to read! Having eschewed most challenges this year, I am of course reading from 1951 for our forthcoming #1951club, but I’m also trying to keep up with the LibraryThing Virago Group’s author of the month – it’s a good way to read books already on my shelves and as I have a *lot* of unread Viragos this has to be something positive!
This month’s author is Elizabeth von Arnim, and I’m pleased that I have plenty of her works to select from:
As you can see, there are plenty of her well-known works here and of the seven lovelies I own, I have read three:
Of the three, I read “German Garden” a long time ago pre-blog and remember loving it; “The Solitary Summer”, which is a kind of follow-up, was equally wonderful; and “Mr. Skeffington” was unexpectedly deep, as I came to it with memories of the Bette Davies film.
These are the four I haven’t yet read:
The obvious title to choose would be “The Enchanted April”, of course, and I have read good things about it; however, the others look appealing too. “Vera” I think is a little darker, and I don’t know anything about “Love” or “Fräulein Schmidt…” So – any recommendations? Has anyone read any of these four titles and if so, which would you suggest? I really do need to get out of this indecisive phase! 🙂
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Apr 08, 2017 @ 06:23:20
I enjoyed Love, the story of a marriage of an older woman & younger man told very sensitively from the woman’s viewpoint. Also Vera, which is darker, as you say, & has echoes of Rebecca (but was written first).
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:45:06
Oh, “Love” does sound interesting – I wish April was a bit longer!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 07:38:27
I’ve read ‘Enchanted April’ and ‘Elizabeth and her German Garden’ both I loved.
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:44:41
I loved the Elizabeth books too and I could do with something light and cheerful at the moment!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 08:19:39
yes indeed I also loved The Enchanted April BUT my very favourite is one not in the photo…it is In The Mountains and more serious…but oh so wonderful
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:44:13
Oh dear – maybe I’ll have to be looking out for a copy of that one, then… 🙂
Apr 08, 2017 @ 08:38:49
Well The Enchanted April is a lovely book, really the cheeriest loveliest book and there’s a movie too which is also excellent. I haven’t read any of von Armin’s other books but I imagine whichever you choose will be a worthy read. Maybe pick one by random out of a bag!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:43:47
Cheery and lovely would do me right now – “April” is sounding ever more appealing!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 08:55:30
I can’t remember much of Love – it’s over 25 years ago since I read it – but I think I liked it, and of course Enchanted April, but I do like the sound of Fraulein Schmidt… Just the title. Sorry, that’s no help at all, is it?
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:43:20
Not to worry – depending on how the month goes, I may have to read more than one… 🙂
Apr 08, 2017 @ 09:10:46
Read Vera. It’s starts out light enough but then becomes very dark. She does it subtly and the characterizations — especially of the husband — will astound you. If you remember the “man of wrath”, he was annoying but not particularly dangerous. The one in Vera is, but it is certainly not obvious at first. As I said, subtle.
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:42:59
Everything I’ve read about this is good – I wonder if I can squeeze two in?
Apr 08, 2017 @ 09:16:18
I may read Enchanted April soon. It’s the only one that I have by her and it will be one more off the TBR pile.
Being such a slow reader I’ve started one of my 1951 books already. I’m hoping to read two.
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:42:34
Another vote for “April”! Yes, I have to read some of the 1951 books in advance – otherwise I would never get the reviews up in time!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 09:40:08
The Enchanted April is lovely and perfect for this month, though I think you would enjoy Vera – it’s a novel with so much going on. It gets progressively darker and I couldn’t put it down. I read Love not long ago I really liked it- and it seems to echo on some level events in EvA’ s own life. I read Fraulien Schmidt… on kindle I don’t have a physical copy and I seem to remember it being told mainly (perhaps entirely) in letters.
I have started reading for the 1951club today (ignoring the book I should be reading for Wednesday night book group) so Elizabeth von Arnim may be next week. I have three unread vmc von Arnim’s tbr and I can’t decide which to read either.
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:41:52
I think I would probably enjoy *any* of them – that’s what makes it so hard! I’ve been reading 1951 books in advance too, because I’d never get them actually all read next week! 🙂
Apr 08, 2017 @ 11:17:16
I’ve just finished The Enchanted April. It was wonderful. It was just the right book at the right moment, exactly what the doctor ordered. I am now looking forward to reading Vera, and EAHG, and now you’ve tempted me to read M S…sorry if it’s not helping 🙂
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:41:09
🙂 No worries – I think “April” might be calling most strongly. Mr. Skeffington is great, though!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 11:27:20
I am going to read The Enchanted April, because it is also this month’s chosen book over at the Virago monthly group 🙂
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:40:43
It certainly seem to be one that’s recommended – and a sunny happy spring read might be the thing.
Apr 08, 2017 @ 11:35:04
I’m reading The Enchanted April at the moment and it’s a joy. I can’t recommend highly enough plus there’s the synchronicity! Vera is on my shelves, after previous comments I think I’ll venture there next.
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:40:19
It does *sound* lovely – and I could probably do with something joyful right now!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 12:30:31
I gave not read them but I sometimes just pick a book by which cover I like the best at the moment. No help but fun.
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:39:48
It’s no worse a way to choose than any other, though unfortunately all the covers are lovely…. :s
Apr 08, 2017 @ 12:37:44
You do have rather a rich selection there Karen. Sometimes I think the fact I have many choices is responsible for my indecision. If I had only 30 unread books instead of 300 it would be so much easier!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:39:17
I think I’m the same – too much choice can be a bit unnerving! 🙂
Apr 08, 2017 @ 13:05:04
The “Enchanted April” is the only book by her that I’ve read and it’s absolutely enchanting. And April is the perfect month to read it.
Apr 08, 2017 @ 15:38:56
It *does* sound like it is – could well be the winner! 🙂
Apr 08, 2017 @ 16:22:22
Vera is superb!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 18:39:11
Oooh – I really may have to read more than one… 🙂
Apr 08, 2017 @ 17:19:29
Just echoing what everyone else is saying: The Enchanted April is absolutely delightful! And what better month to read it, too 😉. I must warn you, however, that once you read it you’ll be wanting to book an airfare to Italy!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 18:37:42
Oh dear – I must admit a sunny Italy does sound very appealing!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 17:29:21
Another late vote for The Enchanted April. I agree that it is perfection in April, especially if you live somewhere rainy and are soggily awaiting the winter to end (I live in Oregon). Everything about that book is delicious, and Lotty is simply a delightful, wise and wonderful character.
Apr 08, 2017 @ 18:37:09
Spring is starting to break out here, but it’s still cold. I could happily read this one and dream of warmer European climes!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 18:03:10
Enchanted April is WONDERFUL. The movie is also excellent, beautifully cast. I’ve also read Love which is quite different but excellent in its own way. I haven’t read Fraulein Schmidt and Mr. Anstruther but I know many people love it.
Apr 08, 2017 @ 18:36:39
It’s certainly getting a lot of attention – I think it may well be Enchanted April!
Apr 09, 2017 @ 14:57:52
Well i read “Expiation” by Von Arnim last year and it is not a favourite.
Apr 09, 2017 @ 18:02:23
Shame – but that one isn’t on the horizon anyway! 🙂
Apr 09, 2017 @ 16:13:23
Another vote for The Enchanted April. 🙂
I’m also terribly indecisive these days. I spend more time choosing what to read than reading.
Apr 09, 2017 @ 18:01:19
I think The Enchanted April is definitely heading for the finishing line! And glad it’s not just me who’s so indecisive!
Apr 09, 2017 @ 20:54:44
The Enchanted April is an unmitigated joy 🙂 If you’ve got time for two you could read it to recover from Vera – the marriage in that novel haunts me still…
Apr 10, 2017 @ 09:01:58
Oh, both of these sound so good! Decision, decisions!
Apr 09, 2017 @ 21:51:09
I think she must be up there among my very favourite authors – Christopher and Columbus is my favourite, but I read Fraulein Schmidt last year and it is so clever and lovely (and a little sad, as her books often are, amongst the joy).
Apr 10, 2017 @ 09:01:36
It’s *so* hard to decide – if I didn’t have so many other books I need to read this month I think I would definitely read two!
Apr 09, 2017 @ 22:59:24
I hate to be with the obvious, but Enchanted April is so good. It makes me long for Italy again, a longing never far from my heart.
Apr 13, 2017 @ 11:05:02
It does seem to be coming up as a favourite and I think I may well go for it – a lovely read with an Italian setting sounds marvellous!
Apr 12, 2017 @ 21:44:49
We have nearly identical collections, except I do have Christopher and Columbus, which is my choice (so glad to hear that it’s Simon’s fave, as I haven’t really head much about that one). I’m curious which one you’ve decided to read. FWIW, I really liked the letters in FS&MrA: very charming. I also liked Vera, but I’m afraid I don’t remember it very well.
Apr 13, 2017 @ 08:45:54
I’m pretty sure I’ll go for Enchanted April when I finish with 1951 – I could do with something soothing!
Aug 13, 2017 @ 18:05:33
I can’t decide between Vera and Enchanted April – have you read either? I am not sure I am ready for the darkness promised by Vera
Aug 13, 2017 @ 19:18:34
I haven’t read Vera but I believe it *is* very dark. The Enchanted April is glorious though, and a wonderful, happiness inducing read!
Aug 13, 2017 @ 22:01:52
I think I’ll go for April, as I can’t face the prospect of dark quite yet, not while the days are noticeably shortening. Thanks!