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emmacr2024's review against another edition
3.0
Enchanted August is an updated version of Elizabeth Von Armin's classic The Enchanted April first published way back in 1922. I had never heard of the author nor obviously read the original book but the premise was interesting and I was willing to give this new modern take on a classic a go. Brenda Bowen upon seeing the film (I didn't realise there was a film either!) and loving the book decided she wished to write the book set in today's fast paced world which has clearly changed a lot since the books original publication. Was she successful? Well the book worked in some parts and not in others. It took an awfully long time to get going and I came close to giving up but in the last 100 or so pages it began to redeem itself and I found the latter parts enjoyable. Honestly for me the cover is not the most appealing, yes the colours are bright and I can see they were trying to stay a little old school but it wouldn't jump out at me sitting on a bookshelf in a shop. I think there are far more interesting eye catching summery covers around. Indeed the new cover for The Enchanted April is lovely and over the summer I will read this to see how the two books compare.
The book focuses on four very different people at varied stages in their lives but united by one common theme. They are all either a bit lost, unhappy or uncertain as to where their path in life should take them. A sign discretely placed on the noticeboard of a Brooklyn preschool brings Lottie and Rose together for a summer which will bring revelations and surprises but above all else might just make them find the happiness and fulfillment that has been sadly lacking for some time. Hopewell Cottage on Little Lost Island in Maine will do its best to work some magic on its new arrivals. Lost souls are waiting to be found again and owner Robert knows this special place has worked miracles in the past. At the same time he is hoping his own wish for romance may come true.
Lottie and Rose are polar opposites in terms of backgrounds; Rose seems to be the posh yummy mummy at the school gates, one who has the perfect life with the ideal children and a financially stable background due to her novelist husbands continued success churning out thrillers. But her life is far from perfect and behind closed doors her twins cause havoc in particular Ben.Her husband Fred is not as loving as he once was. When did her aspirations suddenly stop becoming achievable and she became relegated to someone under pressure to maintain appearances? Lottie is worn out minding her young son who never sleeps when everyone else does and demands attention non stop, although further into the book he does steal the show more than once. She feels she is not as connected to her husband as when they first married. Her husband Jon seemed sneaky to me initially as if he was hiding something but like most of the characters I eventually saw all sides to him which made me change my opinion more than once. I could see both women were strong underneath but they had lost their way. Admittedly when they first bonded over the notice I found it quite unbelievable two women who had never met could decide to up sticks and leave their families for an entire month. But I suppose they had reached that point where they were willing to try anything to come back to be the people they once were.
The other two main characters are finally introduced one we eventually reach the island, I can't say I cared for either of them. Caroline Dester - Hollywood starlet wants to escape the media and general spotlight after a disastrous incident at the Oscars. I wanted Caroline to interact more with Rose and Lottie and not just leave them on the sidelines. She isolated herself and ok maybe she wanted that time to heal but in a house with three other people she could have made more of an effort to communicate because ultimately talking things through earlier would have helped. I think the three women could have formed a fabulous friendship early on in the book and this could have been utilised really well. But it didn't really materialise. Beverley Fisher well there was a surprise which I can't go into. Suffice to say Beverly is in the later stages of life and lonely and all adrift. Cold hearted and aloof at first, cooking for the house brings the real Beverley to the fore but I found Beverley's storyline although partly relevant to today's society it was just that little bit too far fetched for me.
What didn't work for me was that well over 100 pages was spent setting everything up. It took too long to get to the island and the action needed to pick up the pace a bit. I was expecting a nice summer read similar to a Karen Swan set in the Hamptons that I read last year, I didn't get that. Yes the descriptions of the island are quite well written but then in other parts of the book there was too much detail or repetition. So much so I had to reread parts several times wondering had I mistaken myself or had the author already said this before. With this kind of book you want to be transported directly to the island and ultimately want to leave there having engaged with the characters and been with them on their journey of renewal and discovery. It didn't happen here for me and to be honest some of the story lines were weak especially Beverly's. The cat issue was just silly I could see it had some sort of symbolism but it just was too dragged out and not realistic.
This was a book of two halves for me as I have said the first half was way too slow but I'm glad I persisted as the later half improved significantly. I didn't hate the book but I can't say I loved it either. It's not the most perfect of summer reads but there are some good basic story lines waiting there to be waded out amongst some of the more tedious plot lines. Some of the resolutions worked for me and some didn't but I will leave you to decide which worked best for you. The cottage does go along way to helping the characters but unfortunately it's magic didn't always fully do it's job for me.
The book focuses on four very different people at varied stages in their lives but united by one common theme. They are all either a bit lost, unhappy or uncertain as to where their path in life should take them. A sign discretely placed on the noticeboard of a Brooklyn preschool brings Lottie and Rose together for a summer which will bring revelations and surprises but above all else might just make them find the happiness and fulfillment that has been sadly lacking for some time. Hopewell Cottage on Little Lost Island in Maine will do its best to work some magic on its new arrivals. Lost souls are waiting to be found again and owner Robert knows this special place has worked miracles in the past. At the same time he is hoping his own wish for romance may come true.
Lottie and Rose are polar opposites in terms of backgrounds; Rose seems to be the posh yummy mummy at the school gates, one who has the perfect life with the ideal children and a financially stable background due to her novelist husbands continued success churning out thrillers. But her life is far from perfect and behind closed doors her twins cause havoc in particular Ben.Her husband Fred is not as loving as he once was. When did her aspirations suddenly stop becoming achievable and she became relegated to someone under pressure to maintain appearances? Lottie is worn out minding her young son who never sleeps when everyone else does and demands attention non stop, although further into the book he does steal the show more than once. She feels she is not as connected to her husband as when they first married. Her husband Jon seemed sneaky to me initially as if he was hiding something but like most of the characters I eventually saw all sides to him which made me change my opinion more than once. I could see both women were strong underneath but they had lost their way. Admittedly when they first bonded over the notice I found it quite unbelievable two women who had never met could decide to up sticks and leave their families for an entire month. But I suppose they had reached that point where they were willing to try anything to come back to be the people they once were.
The other two main characters are finally introduced one we eventually reach the island, I can't say I cared for either of them. Caroline Dester - Hollywood starlet wants to escape the media and general spotlight after a disastrous incident at the Oscars. I wanted Caroline to interact more with Rose and Lottie and not just leave them on the sidelines. She isolated herself and ok maybe she wanted that time to heal but in a house with three other people she could have made more of an effort to communicate because ultimately talking things through earlier would have helped. I think the three women could have formed a fabulous friendship early on in the book and this could have been utilised really well. But it didn't really materialise. Beverley Fisher well there was a surprise which I can't go into. Suffice to say Beverly is in the later stages of life and lonely and all adrift. Cold hearted and aloof at first, cooking for the house brings the real Beverley to the fore but I found Beverley's storyline although partly relevant to today's society it was just that little bit too far fetched for me.
What didn't work for me was that well over 100 pages was spent setting everything up. It took too long to get to the island and the action needed to pick up the pace a bit. I was expecting a nice summer read similar to a Karen Swan set in the Hamptons that I read last year, I didn't get that. Yes the descriptions of the island are quite well written but then in other parts of the book there was too much detail or repetition. So much so I had to reread parts several times wondering had I mistaken myself or had the author already said this before. With this kind of book you want to be transported directly to the island and ultimately want to leave there having engaged with the characters and been with them on their journey of renewal and discovery. It didn't happen here for me and to be honest some of the story lines were weak especially Beverly's. The cat issue was just silly I could see it had some sort of symbolism but it just was too dragged out and not realistic.
This was a book of two halves for me as I have said the first half was way too slow but I'm glad I persisted as the later half improved significantly. I didn't hate the book but I can't say I loved it either. It's not the most perfect of summer reads but there are some good basic story lines waiting there to be waded out amongst some of the more tedious plot lines. Some of the resolutions worked for me and some didn't but I will leave you to decide which worked best for you. The cottage does go along way to helping the characters but unfortunately it's magic didn't always fully do it's job for me.
evethingiread's review against another edition
Life is too short to force yourself to read a book just for the sake of finishing it. This started out interesting. I've been in a reading slump but this made me want to read again. Until I was about 60 pages into it. It was so slow and I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. It would've been great if it stayed from Lottie's POV. Or any one POV. This was just too many POVs and none of them was interesting enough to grab my attention.
I thought this was going to be an relaxing summer read. Well, It's October and I can't get myself to read this. I flipped through till the end to know what happens and read the last few chapters. Let's just say that I am glad I didn't waste even more time on this.
Next time, I won't buy anything without reading the reviews first. On to the next one.
I thought this was going to be an relaxing summer read. Well, It's October and I can't get myself to read this. I flipped through till the end to know what happens and read the last few chapters. Let's just say that I am glad I didn't waste even more time on this.
Next time, I won't buy anything without reading the reviews first. On to the next one.
kaylarage's review against another edition
2.0
Three of the main characters are women and I'm not even sure this book passes the Bechdel test (unless talking about their kids or the cottage they're staying in counts, which it shouldn't). All of the women are vapid and all of the men are sex-obsessed a-holes. And everyone is a stereotype. I wouldn't have finished this if it I hadn't listened to the audiobook while commuting because I wouldn't have been able to force myself to read it.
mschrock8's review against another edition
2.0
Cruise read. Borrowed from the ship library.
Plus, a "Rebecca" reference. Bonus points.
Plus, a "Rebecca" reference. Bonus points.
erincataldi's review against another edition
2.0
Bowen, Brenda. Enchanted August. 7 CDs. unabridged. 8.5 hrs. Books on Tape. 2015. ISBN 9781101915028.
Bowen, an award-winning children's book author, makes her adult debut with this captivating beach read. Young mothers, Lottie and Rose, spy an ad for a cottage for rent on Little Lost Island in Maine. Neither can afford it, but they are desperate for some space from their families, so they place ads of their own looking for two other boarders to share the rent. Their ad turns up the brilliant (albeit publicly shamed) actress, Caroline Dester, and stodgy old Beverly Fisher, who is trying to recoup after the loss of his pet. This quartet of quirky renters fall in love with the island and its ways and despite their differences, start to befriend one another. The island is the perfect place for them to come to terms with failed careers, marriages, dreams, and heartbreak. Narrator, Sierra Boggess, does a fantastic job of bringing to life the flawed, yet beautiful characters. Verdict For fans of light, breezy, beach reads. - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN
Bowen, an award-winning children's book author, makes her adult debut with this captivating beach read. Young mothers, Lottie and Rose, spy an ad for a cottage for rent on Little Lost Island in Maine. Neither can afford it, but they are desperate for some space from their families, so they place ads of their own looking for two other boarders to share the rent. Their ad turns up the brilliant (albeit publicly shamed) actress, Caroline Dester, and stodgy old Beverly Fisher, who is trying to recoup after the loss of his pet. This quartet of quirky renters fall in love with the island and its ways and despite their differences, start to befriend one another. The island is the perfect place for them to come to terms with failed careers, marriages, dreams, and heartbreak. Narrator, Sierra Boggess, does a fantastic job of bringing to life the flawed, yet beautiful characters. Verdict For fans of light, breezy, beach reads. - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
First, this was my first time reading a classic and then following it up with the modern retelling and I loved it. I wouldn't mind doing this a few times a year - any suggestions?
I loved knowing the basic plot points already, but getting a different perspective with these four ladies going to Maine instead of Italy and having modern moments mixed in to the basic plot. There were even conversations that were taken straight from the first book, or so I think.
First, this was my first time reading a classic and then following it up with the modern retelling and I loved it. I wouldn't mind doing this a few times a year - any suggestions?
I loved knowing the basic plot points already, but getting a different perspective with these four ladies going to Maine instead of Italy and having modern moments mixed in to the basic plot. There were even conversations that were taken straight from the first book, or so I think.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
”The drive to Maine was longer than either of them had imagined. Lottie and Rose had decided on renting a Subaru in a burst of enthusiasm about New England, but now, as Rose pounded along the endless grayness of I-95 North, she felt driving up together had been a very bad idea.”
I will be honest, if reading wasn’t so difficult right now, I might have given up on this book. I didn’t realize it was based on Enchanted April when I checked it out. I should have known, but it just didn’t occur to me.
I say that finding the right books has been hard. That probably looks like a lie given that this is the 136th book I have read this year. Also I have found some really good books. However, there have been quite a few nights that I play games on my iPad rather than read. That is not like me.
Back to my book review. This was a perfectly good novel. Bowen created people that seem real to me and their problems, although different than mine, seem like actual issues for some people. The island in Maine seemed very nice. I just could take this book or leave it. It left few marks on me.
I am sure there are plenty of people who have loved this story and I hope that for them, Bowen writes some more.
I will be honest, if reading wasn’t so difficult right now, I might have given up on this book. I didn’t realize it was based on Enchanted April when I checked it out. I should have known, but it just didn’t occur to me.
I say that finding the right books has been hard. That probably looks like a lie given that this is the 136th book I have read this year. Also I have found some really good books. However, there have been quite a few nights that I play games on my iPad rather than read. That is not like me.
Back to my book review. This was a perfectly good novel. Bowen created people that seem real to me and their problems, although different than mine, seem like actual issues for some people. The island in Maine seemed very nice. I just could take this book or leave it. It left few marks on me.
I am sure there are plenty of people who have loved this story and I hope that for them, Bowen writes some more.
mdodds11's review against another edition
1.0
I skipped part of it and just read the end; not worth my time. The husbands are terrible people. The wives are stupid/annoying. Robert was somewhat creepy at first. The movie star was a complainer. Beverly was pretty cool, although a huge jerk, even if grieving a cat and husband.
nglofile's review against another edition
2.0
A modern update to von Arnim's Enchanted April holds such possibility. This story tries to bring the characters and their personal trials into the 21st century, but the revisions aren't entirely successful. Strangely, in some ways it is too close to the original, and in others it has played too loosely. Perhaps it is the choice of which elements to keep pure and which to contemporize that do it a disservice.
My primary complaint is that the tone was erratic. One of the gifts of the original story is the languid, reflective air, even when contrasted by moments of drama. This is crafted by beautiful depictions of setting and contemplation, all with evocative language. Bowen's foursome is much less isolated, interacting with people all over the island, and that doesn't allow for the self-discovery or refreshment each sought in choosing this getaway. The rough edges of personality seem heightened here, and the backstories are awkwardly inserted.
One other significant change I found disheartening, though revealed early in the story, might be seen as a mild spoiler:
I realize this seems a game of comparison between this book and its inspiration, but that isn't the sole source of my dissatisfaction. On the contrary, were I evaluating this story on its own, I'd probably have even less patience with the characterizations and outcomes.
This has some lovely moments, and the book as a whole might be the diversion some readers need. Others, like this reader, might better find classic respite in a Italian villa.
My primary complaint is that the tone was erratic. One of the gifts of the original story is the languid, reflective air, even when contrasted by moments of drama. This is crafted by beautiful depictions of setting and contemplation, all with evocative language. Bowen's foursome is much less isolated, interacting with people all over the island, and that doesn't allow for the self-discovery or refreshment each sought in choosing this getaway. The rough edges of personality seem heightened here, and the backstories are awkwardly inserted.
One other significant change I found disheartening, though revealed early in the story, might be seen as a mild spoiler:
Spoiler
the introduction of a male character to the group changes the dynamic. Too much of these women's lives -- even in the modernization -- is defined by their relation to men. Beverly is older and gay, but his presence seemed an almost formulaic way to update.I realize this seems a game of comparison between this book and its inspiration, but that isn't the sole source of my dissatisfaction. On the contrary, were I evaluating this story on its own, I'd probably have even less patience with the characterizations and outcomes.
This has some lovely moments, and the book as a whole might be the diversion some readers need. Others, like this reader, might better find classic respite in a Italian villa.