Vintage Book - Mr Skeffington by Elizabeth 1940 Doubleday. This late novel, still has the naughty humour of Elizabeth Arnim's earlier novels, but where is the kindness and generosity of spirit.
But this book was my least favorite Von Arnim that I've read thus far. In the weeks preceding her birthday Fanny visits a variety of the men who loved her, looking for - love, adoration, companionship, Fanny is not sure, especially with Job haunting her. It is a little gem of a story, very British upper crust, precious and often quite funny, with a surprising O. Henry-esque ending. Quoting from the book, here's the whole idea in a nutshell:I love the movie that is based on this book, so I had to read it. It's quite different in some ways, but the book did take some scenes almost word-for-word from the book. The writing is excellent, plot interesting, but I just couldn't get excited about reading the next chapter.
1993 Audience Reviews for Mr. Skeffington. You can view Barnes & Noble’s Privacy Policy Auto Suggestions are available once you type at least 3 letters.
She also wrote Enchanted April which is one of my all time favorite novels AND movie.Von Arnim’s book is as engaging as always.
HOWEVER, both books don't quite live up to their adaptations.Having been a recent "convert" to the Claude Rheins/Bette Davis movie of the same name, I was fascinated to find that it was based on a book by an author that had written another book that I loved: Enchanted April.
[If it is to be taken at face value, then it seems a failed novel, where the heroine goes on so many adventures, but learns nothing from them, and is the same vapid woman at the end as she was at the beginning. by Virago
We’d love your help. In these strange days of quarantine and isolation, books can be a mode of transport. It's quite different in some ways, but the book did take some scenes almost word-for-word from the book. By marriage she became Gräfin (Countess) von Arnim-Schlagenthin, and by a second marriage, Countess Russell. $14.95 + $2.80 shipping .
The writing is excellent, plot interesting, but I just couldn't get excited about reading the next chapter. George Eliot did it.
Having been a recent "convert" to the Claude Rheins/Bette Davis movie of the same name, I was fascinated to find that it was based on a book by an author that had written another book that I loved: Enchanted April. Read Book Review: Mr Skeffington by Elizabeth von Arnim. But I did, and in a way I'm glad I did. While attempting to understand this unwelcome invasion, she meets, through a series of coincidences and deliberate actions, all those other men whose hearts she has broken. I am a big fan of Elizabeth von Arnim's work, which transitioned throughout her life from an early post-Victorian lyrical phase (Elizabeth and Her German Garden) through the sad but deftly drawn post-WWI years (The Enchanted April) through this, her last work.
Quoting from the book, here's the whole idea in a nutshell:A story by a wonderful author! Each is interesting in its own way.
Elizabeth von Arnim’s adorable irony is present from the first page, her voice is instantly recognisable. Approaching the watershed of her fiftieth birthday, Fanny, having long ago divorced Mr. Skeffington and Charlotte Bronte. Should be required reading for all divorced women "of a certain age" who have been through the dating game. Todos los departamentos.
And so on.
"Mr. Skeffington" was a classic movie of Bette Davis's, so I should have known better than to read the novel it was (loosely) based on. But she has just recovered from a serious illness to discover that age has caught up to her and she is not longer beautiful by any stretch. Mr. Skeffington (1944) Plot. The book is very different from the film, partly because it is very English, and also because, despite its title, it focuses entirely on Mrs Skeffington, an ageing beauty looking back at her succession of lovers, and struggling to decide what to do with the rest of her life.
I am a big fan of Elizabeth von Arnim's work, which transitioned throughout her life from an early post-Victorian lyrical phase (Elizabeth and Her German Garden) through the sad but deftly drawn post-WWI years (The Enchanted April) through this, her last work. One thing that has not changed for women: we still put too much emphasis on youth and outward appearances!I love the movie that is based on this book, so I had to read it. Perhaps there was a deeper connection with Job that bound them together since he was her only husband? Welcome back.
This is an interesting concept for a story, where a woman who was once a great beauty is getting older and has lost her beauty. See all 3 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions. Although known in her early life as Mary, after the publication of her first book, she was known to her readers, eventually to her friends, and finally even to her family as Elizabeth, and she is now invariably referred to as Elizabeth von Arnim. So old to a woman known for only her charm and beauty.
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I don't know if this is a failed novel, or just a deliberately failed heroine. George Eliot did it.
Just shy of fifty, her beauty, and her happiness, is fading, leaving her in doubt as to what to do with the rest of her life.