In the Mountains (1920) by Elizabeth von Arnim #NovNov25

🗻 In the Mountains is an epistolary novella by Elizabeth von Arnim, which is structured as diary. The author, thus the narrator, is an English woman, who seeks refuge at her chalet on the Swiss Alps. It's post Second World War, and for some mysterious and dark reason, our narrator is depressed and longed for peace and solitude of the Swiss Alps to be cured. However, just when she feels quite refreshed after spending hours in languid nature while admiring the beautiful views and cold crisp air, our narrator becomes restless and lonesome. It's her birthday, and as she wants to be busy herself to avert her mind from "the thing", she gives the servants holiday. And it is when she's alone, two women clothed in black, arrive on the scene.

🗻 Mrs. Barnes and Mrs. Jewks are widows in their forties, who've been staying at a cheap pension on the valley. They are lost while searching for a better place, and what with the narrator's loneliness and the widows' apparent poverty, our narrator took them in, and they soon become friends, if not intimate acquaintances. The two women are opposite of  each other in personality. Mrs. Kitty Barnes is an upright honorable woman, while Dolly, her younger sister, is a charming, sweet creature who can't help marrying husbands-to-be, even when they were Germans. Her two failed marriages brought a scandal among friends and family, and that's where Kitty, unselfishly cut out her honorable life, and brought Dolly to a more neutral country: Swiss.

🗻 At first the three ladies spent, if not very amiable, a tolerable existence. But after few weeks, our narrator begins to feel the strain of being hostess. What with Mrs. Barness 's profuse gratitude for the hostess' generosity, but on the other hand tyrannically forced her will in the household cost-savings; not mentioning Dolly's meek smiles and agreement to all her sister's decision. In short, the narrator longs for a friendship instead of hostess-lodgers relationship, and the sense of sacrifice one must always endure. Meanwhile, secrets begin to unfold as the story's progressing - the guests' secrets at least; the cause of the narrator's grief and anxiety were never disclosed. 

 🗻 The Swiss chalet here served as the Italian castle in The Enchanted April, that is as a cure to whoever is staying in. One comes with a heavy heart, and after staying several months, one leaves it refreshed and, as in In the Mountains, with new and hopeful prospect for brighter future. And although this novella couldn't be compared with The Enchanted April - it's a bit dull, I must say - but I enjoyed the charm of the Swiss Alps, especially when the narrator's enjoying a peaceful, solitude, charming times alone there. The ending is perhaps a little bit forced, but it brings a sprinkle of sweet charms to the rather gloomy atmosphere - despite of the Swiss Alps - otherwise.

Relatable Quotes:

"It's true that the worst pain is the remembering one's happiness when one is no longer happy."

"Oh, I do so want to be wholesome inside again! Nicely aired, sunshiny; instead of all dark, and stuffed up with black memories."

"A man does seem to have more to say that one wants to hear than a woman. I do want to hear what a woman has to say too, but not for so long a time, and not so often. [...] A woman when she talks seems usually to have forgotten the salt. Also she is apt to go on talking; sometimes for quite a little while after you have begun to wish she would leave off."

"I don't know anything more happy than to be where it is beautiful with some one who sees and loves it as much as you do yourself."

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2

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Novellas in November 2025

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The Swiss Summer (1951) by Stella Gibbons #20BooksofSummer2025

🗻 As forty-something Lucy Cottrel, who's been boring with city life of London, received an unexpected invitation to spend summer at a Swiss chalet near Interlaken, she couldn't possibly resist. Lucy's marriage is a happy, but childless one; and she's been longing for a quieter life. Then, on her visit to her friend's house, the friend took her to an elderly widow called Lady Dagleish. The rich old lady owns a chalet on the Swiss Alp, built by her late husband, who, the very opposite of his wife, loved nature much more than social company. Seeing how delightful Lucy Cottrel was when the Swiss chalet was mentioned, Lady Dagleish invited her in a whim, to accompany her companion, Freda Blandish, to stay at the chalet during summer to do inventory of its contents.

🗻 Longing to stay away from London social life, Lucy accepted the invitation, and off she goes one fine morning, boarded on a train, and "pinned on her coat was a bunch of gentians given to her in loving farewell by her husband". Not without apprehension, though, for she knew nothing about Mrs. Blandish, whom, on their first meeting, seemed to dislike her. But the prospect of spending three months on the Swiss Alps, at a quiet chalet, restored her hopes.

🗻 At first, Lucy was delighted with the fresh mountain air, the serene view of the Jungfrau summit from her bedroom window, and the prospect of taking a walk up the mountain everyday. Not even the sour-faced Utta, the loyal servant of Lady Dagleish, seemed to be a nuisance. However, Lucy's dream of quiet life was soon diminished; first by the appearance of Astra Blandish, Freda Blandish' daughter, then the arrival of more people. Lucy was much appalled that Freda Blandish hid the fact that she invited those people from Lady Dagleish, and hoped that Lucy, too, would not reveal it in her frequent letters to Lady D. Lucy hated the situation, but she's the kind of person who can't say no, and to accept things as they are is more convenient than creating a scene. Midway through summer, two young people arrived at the chalet (they are actually permitted by Lady D as Lucy's guests - Bertram and Peter), and soon, love is in the air for the young girls, Astra and Kay (one of the guests).

🗻 However, Mrs. Blandish - who had been promised to inherit the chalet upon Lady D's death - went finally too far by receiving a paying guest. Paying to herself, that is - and of course, hiding it from Lady D. Lucy didn't like it, and Utta the caretaker, hated them all, out of her loyalty to her boss.  

🗻 On the whole, it is a charming story. Its main attraction is, firstly, the beautiful Swiss Alps scenery, and its fresh, cool mountain air, which I could almost feel during my reading. Then, the colorful characters; each portrayed vividly by Gibbons, which provided some of the hilarious scenes along the story. Although this story has neither strong plot, nor character growth, I enjoyed every scene. From the walking and climbing of the hills, the beautiful scenery, the cafe with red and white checked tablecloth where they stopped for rest and a cup of coffee or apricot ice, the youngsters' adventures, and love makings. Each provides delight and freshness to our otherwise rather dreary existences! I also loved the ending, while it's not too conclusive for some characters, it's satisfying and even rather poetic. It is, anyway, a vignette of happy life, in a short period of holiday, that left deep impression to hold on to as long as we live.

 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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20 Books of Summer 2025

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