The Enchanted April


Lu par Diana Kiesners

(4.7 étoiles; 123 critiques)

It’s a dreary February in post-World War I London when Mrs. Wilkins spots an advertisement in The Times for a small Italian castle for rent in April. She sees another member of her women’s club, Mrs. Arbuthnot, reading the same advertisement and manages to convince her that the two of them should rent it. Both are miserable and lonely in their marriages. They can’t afford the cost of the villa, San Salvatore, on their own and must advertise for two others, eventually recruiting an elderly widow named Mrs. Fisher, and Lady Caroline Dester, a beautiful young socialite desperate to escape from London and society. The four journey to Italy where San Salvatore works its magic separately on each of them, changing their lives in unexpected ways. (Summary by Diana Kiesners) (10 hr 2 min)

Chapitres

Chapter 01 37:02 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 02 19:26 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 03 28:18 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 04 15:40 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 05 24:41 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 06 32:45 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 07 20:30 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 08 36:42 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 09 26:30 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 10 23:18 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 11 21:52 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 12 34:10 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 13 40:58 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 14 26:54 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 15 29:57 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 16 31:56 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 17 23:45 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 18 25:30 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 19 30:04 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 20 15:58 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 21 25:03 Lu par Diana Kiesners
Chapter 22 31:55 Lu par Diana Kiesners

Critiques

Such a wonderful story.


(5 étoiles)

The story starts out as a soft entrance to to life. Everyone having their own problems, the world passing them by without notice. Until an advertisement catches one persons attention and then another’s. Two women with similar problems. One knows not the other, but the advertisement is something they both have in common and draws them together. I’m not sure how I would have acted towards the elder lady ( who being rich, thought herself above the others), nor the younger rich young woman ( who also thought because she was rich, could treat others as bothersome). But they each had loneliness in common. And they all just wanted to get away for one month. Where none of life’s trouble could enter. This story also shows how a giving spirit can change someone’s life just by giving of yourself and not feeling wronged when they don’t respond as quickly back to you as you hoped. Everyone has trouble in their life. Therefore we must learn to treat each other as we would like to be treated. With friendship, and understanding.

Delightful!


(5 étoiles)

I thought the reading was a bit slow at first but do not be fooled like I had been! Her reading takes momentum as she pleasantly goes on and, as soon as listening to the second chapter, you'll be thinking that actually, there is no better suited reader for this novel. In fact the enchantment of the story and her lovely voice match perfectly well! It was a bit difficult to understand her saying words like "pericoloso", "Mezzago" and "Giuseppe", but all the same she said "Francesca" in the most adorable of manners. Don't miss it, this recording is one of a kind.

Transporting


(4 étoiles)

I love the film, and I love the area where it was filmed (above Portofino), and now I love Diana Kiesners' reading of the book. All of the magic and humor and quiet and confusion is well conveyed. The characters come to life, and I find they can coexist quite nicely with those in the film. Many thanks to Ms. Kiesners and of course to Ms. von Arnim!


(4.5 étoiles)

This is such a beautiful story. It teaches us all a lesson about our petit dislikes, judging people wrongly and being stuck in a rut .It opens your mind to the most precious thing in life which is simply love. I wish that I could go on a holiday like that. what a soothing and beautiful voice that the reader has, thank you. Jackie of Ashford in Kent UK.


(4 étoiles)

I found this story a little slow at the beginning but by the third chapter I was totally hooked in. It's written in the style of the time- soft, elegant, but not too sappy. The reader was clear and brought out the characters very well. I'd recommend it.

Beautiful reading of a sentimental classic


(5 étoiles)

A beautiful reading of this wonderful story of the blossoming of four women who leave rainy London to spend a month in an Italian castle. I can't recommend it too highly. A big thank you to Diana K. (TheBookworm, Manchester, UK)

A real pleasure


(5 étoiles)

It was an absolute joy to listen to this recording. An uplifting, thoughtful story brought to life by Diana Kiesners' beautiful reading. Her pacing, expression and diction are all spot-on.


(4 étoiles)

The reader is very pleasant to listen to. The book starts out a bit slow and it requires patience at points to stay with it, but the conclusion is good.