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And our loved-up February Book of the Month is...THE ENCHANTED APRIL by Elizabeth Von Arnim (discussion Tuesday 24 February)

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TillyBookClub · 21/01/2009 10:26

We'll be chatting about our Book of the Month, THE ENCHANTED APRIL by Elizabeth Von Arnim, a witty, escapist classic, here on Tuesday 24 February from 8-10pm.

Don't forget you can order your copy here

Keen to know how the votes turned out? Have a snoop at the results here

And, for anyone who missed them first time round, here were February's passion-filled book choices

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MNHQ

CarrieMumsnet · 24/02/2009 20:37

Well there's been division over this book at Mumsnet Towers. We all enjoyed it but some more than others. I think I was expecting more romance, more drama, there seemed a lot of drama at the beginning (and I loved all that and the idea of escaping to a castle) and then a lot of frenzied activity at the end, but it was all a bit languid for me in the middle - though agree the vinegary bits were good. I love a happy ending so was glad about that but like Wheelybug I was also worried that the happiness was a bit ephemeral and might disappear once they left the sunshine... I do hope not.

Couldn't decide if it was just a light read, almost Mills and Boon-y or whether I was missing some deep and profound themes...so have been really looking forward to tonight's chat.. sorry I'm late

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 24/02/2009 20:53

Loved the contrast between damp, dull, stuffy London and sensuous Italy, with gorgeous garden, lush food, sunshine and a sexy gardener. Despite caveat of weak ending, the bits of ephemeral joy pleased me. Reminds me of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Grabbing a bit of joy while it's going.

MNHQ

CarrieMumsnet · 24/02/2009 21:42

oh I love that trivia fact... it does remind me of Forster when I think about it...Sorry don't feel I've contributed much, but have really enjoyed everyone else's contributions!

Will definitely look out for the film, though was quite enjoying the casting speculation

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 24/02/2009 21:44

Ooh, Joan Plowright is SO Mrs Fisher: exactly who I was picturing when reading the book!

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 24/02/2009 21:45

Bet Elizabeth would have been good value for a webchat. You get the feeling she would have been entertainingly frank.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 24/02/2009 21:49

And what happened to the sexy gardener? He sounded so promising when they got to the castle and then he just disappeared (presumably into the acacias).

Maybe it would have been less trite if he had ended up with Lady Caroline?

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 24/02/2009 21:52

Not so much a room of one's own, as an italian garden of one's own

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