David Jones (7) (1934–2008)

New York writer and book lover Helene Hanff corresponded with Frank Doel, an employee of Marks and Company Booksellers in London, over the course of twenty years (1949-1969). She initially requested specific used books and Doel did his best to find a copy, shipping them overseas by book rate. Eventually she, Frank, and the other employees of the antiquarian bookshop developed a fond friendship. Many of the letters provide an idea of what life was like in London at the time. I was surprised show more to find out how long rationing endured after WWII. Hanff sent gift-packages containing meat and eggs, which were in short supply and were greatly appreciated by the staff. Hanff is quite witty and teasing in her letters. Doel’s replies were initially crisp and business-like but gradually became warm and friendly in tone. I particularly enjoyed the historical events sprinkled into their correspondences, such as the inauguration of Queen Elizabeth II, the reelection of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and the aforementioned food rationing. It was a pleasure to read of a friendship formed around a shared love of books. I don’t read too many I can call “delightful,” but this is one of them. show less

While not a fan of Dickens in general, I have always liked 'A Christmas Carol', so was pleased to be given this movie version of the story some time ago.

It stars Patrick Stewart, who is probably best-known for his role as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. It's a tribute to his acting that he made an extremely good Scrooge, but I did rather wish he had been given a wig. I could easily believe in him as the ultimate miser in the scenes in his hat, or even his night-cap, but show more when his head was bare he somehow looked more like the captain of the Enterprise (and I'm no Trekkie) than Dickens' character.

Still, it's a minor gripe. My other is that some of the special effects looked extremely dated, but then the film is ten years old and computer graphic effects have improved enormously since 1999.

I haven't read the book for some years, but from what I recall this film version was pretty true to the book. It worked well, and on the whole I enjoyed it. A nice start to Christmas!

Latest longer review: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2024/12/a-christmas-carol-patrick-stewart.ht... show less

A 20-year-old nostalgic film, based on the correspondence between a young writer in New York and a middle-aged bookseller in the UK, beginning in the late 1940s.

Lovely contrasts of American excitement and British austerity, with the shared love of good books. No fast action, no high drama, just a lovely gentle film suitable for all the family, with a touch of sadness.

Winning story of the relationship between a plucky New Yorker (Bancroft) and a somewhat stuffy British bookseller (Hopkins), told in their back and forth letters as she buys used books from him. They have great chemistry for two people who never appear onscreen together.