The Enchanted April

This excellent audio production comes right on the heels of the successful British film. Four women share an Italian castle for a month, an experience which changes all their lives. It's a somewhat old-fashioned story, but sweetly so, as was the movie. Nadia May's narration is excellent, especially in differentiating the women's voices and in reading their inner dialogues, which go on throughout. May's rendition of the mostly middle and upper-class English voices is exceedingly well done. This performance is easy to listen to, and this recording is well worth having. E.F. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

January 1, 1988
Four Englishwomen vacation together at an Italian castle in von Arnim's novel, a film version of which is now a popular art-house attraction.

There are places of refuge, but only one place of salvation, such as the castle, San Salvatore, high above the bay on the Italian Riviera. Four ladies abandon the dismal British weather to luxuriate in the Italian sun for the month of April. Lottie Wilkins speaks with a high, breathy, fast, nervous voice. Mrs. Arbuthnot's voice is smoother, softer, slower. Mrs. Fisher sounds sixty-five years tired while Lady Caroline has the soft, silky tones of youth. The men's voices are neither as distinct nor as beguiling as the women's. Familiar with the text from her television role as Mrs. Wilkins, Lawrence provides a refreshing listening experience. M.G.S. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine