"The Enchanted April" by Elizabeth Von Arnim is a novel about four women who want their normal lives to change, so they travel from cold, rainy England to a sunny castle in Italy. The story begins when Mrs. Wilkins, who doesn't like her boring life, sees an ad for a castle to rent in Italy. Because she wants warmth and beauty in her life, she talks to Mrs. Arbuthnot, who also wants something different. They quickly become friends and decide to rent the castle together, but they need two more women to help pay for it. This sets the scene for a hopeful story where the women look for happiness and freedom in beautiful Italy, showing how adventure can help you find yourself and feel refreshed.

The Enchanted April
By Elizabeth Von Arnim
Seeking escape from their unfulfilling lives, four women find that the warmth of an Italian castle has the power to change everything.
Summary
About the AuthorElizabeth 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. Her first marriage made her Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin and her second Elizabeth Russell, Countess Russell. After her first husband's death, she had a three-year affair with the writer H. G. Wells, then later married Frank Russell, elder brother of the Nobel prize-winner and philosopher Bertrand Russell. She was a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield. Though known in early life as May, her first book introduced her to readers as Elizabeth, which she eventually became to friends and finally to family. Her writings are ascribed to Elizabeth von Arnim. She used the pseudonym Alice Cholmondeley for only one novel, Christine, published in 1917.
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. Her first marriage made her Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin and her second Elizabeth Russell, Countess Russell. After her first husband's death, she had a three-year affair with the writer H. G. Wells, then later married Frank Russell, elder brother of the Nobel prize-winner and philosopher Bertrand Russell. She was a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield. Though known in early life as May, her first book introduced her to readers as Elizabeth, which she eventually became to friends and finally to family. Her writings are ascribed to Elizabeth von Arnim. She used the pseudonym Alice Cholmondeley for only one novel, Christine, published in 1917.