84, Charing Cross Road (1970)

This was absolutely fabulous. I love conversations in writing! ( )

Simply wonderful.
http://carmengirl.tumblr.com/post/55874947702/84-charing-cross-road-by-helene-ha... ( )

This is an interesting read between a NY writer and a London Book Store which spans 20 years of correspondence. It's not something that I will read again; however, I'm glad it was the month's book club selection. ( )

such an enjoyable compilation of letters , a voracious reader links with a bookseller and carry on letter writing for many years. became a movie with Ann Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins - great ( )

I had heard of this book for years (it was published in 1970) and it was always spoken of reverentially, so after recently reading a book that again referred to this “classic” I decided I would read it NOW. So after all that buildup, I was sadly disappointed. The nonfiction book consists of actual letters written between a New York writer and the staff of a London book shop located at 84, Charing Cross Road. The correspondence began just after World War II, in 1949. Helene Hanff is the writer and Marks & Co., Booksellers is the well-known antiquarian book shop.

The letters provided an interesting slice of life from that time period – the letters that began in 1949 described the continued rationing of food and other items even after the war in Europe ended. And I couldn’t get over the price of books from that early time (on average $1.00 - $3.00 each). Hanff’s brash New York personality was a humorous contrast to the polite British restraint of the bookstore’s staff, who took turns responding to her. Many of them developed a friendship with her, but the book was never as heartwarming or charming as I expected.

At least I read an original edition, published in 1970 – which I think Helene would have appreciated. ( )