Enchanted April

Set in the years after World War I, the story unfolds during an interwar period when traditional social roles begin to feel both restrictive and ripe for change. The era carries memories of the war while sparking a desire for personal renewal and a gentler, more autonomous form of happiness. The setting allows the characters to explore new possibilities away from their usual duties.

San Salvatore is a small Italian castle leased for a month-long holiday by four British women. The villa sits in sunlit grounds that offer a tranquil contrast to their tense domestic lives. Its elegant drawing rooms and surrounding landscape invite conversation, reflection, and the formation of new, enduring friendships.

🤝 Friendship

Four women form a sheltering bond that allows them to confront dissatisfaction with their lives. Lotty's tact helps ease tensions, while Rose and Caroline reveal different reactions to marriage and admiration. The holiday becomes a catalyst for new loyalties and softened resentments. The theme shows how female companionship can drive personal growth.

🕊️ Renewal

The retreat offers a chance to rethink unhappy marriages and pursue happiness beyond convention. Each woman faces her own discontent and discovers a renewed sense of self, sometimes through friendship and new perspectives. Change is portrayed as a gradual, hopeful process rather than an abrupt upheaval. The setting fosters quiet introspection that leads to meaningful shifts.

💘 Romance & Perception

Romantic undercurrents surface as Rose reconnects with her husband and Caroline experiences attraction in an unexpected way. The story probes how affection can emerge when appearances give way to honesty. It also examines how perceptions of wealth, status, and lovers can change when people speak openly and observe one another more closely. The result is a redefined sense of desire and belonging.