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84 Charing Cross Road

By Helene Hanff

(193)

| Paperback | 9781860498503

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Book Description

84, Charing Cross Road is a charming record of bibliophilia, cultural difference, and imaginative sympathy. For 20 years, an outspoken New York writer and a rather more restrained London bookseller carried on an increasingly touching correspondence. In her first letter to Marks & Co., Helene Continue

84, Charing Cross Road is a charming record of bibliophilia, cultural difference, and imaginative sympathy. For 20 years, an outspoken New York writer and a rather more restrained London bookseller carried on an increasingly touching correspondence. In her first letter to Marks & Co., Helene Hanff encloses a wish list, but warns, "The phrase 'antiquarian booksellers' scares me somewhat, as I equate 'antique' with expensive." Twenty days later, on October 25, 1949, a correspondent identified only as FPD let Hanff know that works by Hazlitt and Robert Louis Stevenson would be coming under separate cover. When they arrive, Hanff is ecstatic--but unsure she'll ever conquer "bilingual arithmetic." By early December 1949, Hanff is suddenly worried that the six-pound ham she's sent off to augment British rations will arrive in a kosher office. But only when FPD turns out to have an actual name, Frank Doel, does the real fun begin.

Two years later, Hanff is outraged that Marks & Co. has dared to send an abridged Pepys diary. "i enclose two limp singles, i will make do with this thing till you find me a real Pepys. THEN i will rip up this ersatz book, page by page, AND WRAP THINGS IN IT." Nonetheless, her postscript asks whether they want fresh or powdered eggs for Christmas. Soon they're sharing news of Frank's family and Hanff's career. No doubt their letters would have continued, but in 1969, the firm's secretary informed her that Frank Doel had died. In the collection's penultimate entry, Helene Hanff urges a tourist friend, "If you happen to pass by 84, Charing Cross Road, kiss it for me. I owe it so much."

12 Reviews

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  • 3 people find this helpful

    84, Charing Cross Rd is absolutely delightful. you read it in a heartbeat and wish it would never end...alas!, it is shorter than you had imagined and it soon leaves you desperate for more. but then you turn the page, and stumble upon The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, HH's account of her coveted fir ... (continue)

    84, Charing Cross Rd is absolutely delightful. you read it in a heartbeat and wish it would never end...alas!, it is shorter than you had imagined and it soon leaves you desperate for more. but then you turn the page, and stumble upon The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, HH's account of her coveted first visit to London, and you are most thankful to her for having kept a diary.

    a gem not to be missed.

    "...when you write like an angel you're allowed to be a bit cracked..."

    Is this helpful?

    disastrino said on Aug 23, 2009 | 2 feedbacks

  • 1 person find this helpful

    Indoubtly I loved the romantic idea of two people connecting through books, mailing each other in unique handwrited letters, personalizing each with a bit of themshelves. It was such a pleasurable reading that I highly recommend it for anyone, specially if you can get a paperback and carry it in a t ... (continue)

    Indoubtly I loved the romantic idea of two people connecting through books, mailing each other in unique handwrited letters, personalizing each with a bit of themshelves. It was such a pleasurable reading that I highly recommend it for anyone, specially if you can get a paperback and carry it in a travel. i consider it a really good story...

    Me encantó la idea romántica de este libro de dos personas conectando a través de la compra de libros y una correspondencia ya perdida en medio del caos multimedia de hoy día. Sin duda una lectura amena y altamente recomendable.

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    Sinictra said on May 29, 2009 | Add your feedback

  • 1 person find this helpful

    A sweet and wonderful reading, it's ideal for book lovers! It makes you feel the sensation of fine book paper in your hand....And what about the bookshop? You can really imagine the tall shelves with their treasures..Love for books is the key of the friendship between Helen and Frank, in spite of th ... (continue)

    A sweet and wonderful reading, it's ideal for book lovers! It makes you feel the sensation of fine book paper in your hand....And what about the bookshop? You can really imagine the tall shelves with their treasures..Love for books is the key of the friendship between Helen and Frank, in spite of their different cultural background: this reminds me of all the friends I knew thanks to bookcrossing :)
    There is also a very nice film from the book, I loved it too, Anthony Hopkins is a charming Frank Doel, I hope you all can see it.

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    maddap said on Dec 19, 2008 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

  • 84, Charing Cross Road

    Fasinating story about the friendship between a book buyer and clerks of a bookstore who never met.

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    Jonger said on Oct 30, 2009 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

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9781860498503 Paperback $12.86 $10.82 The Book Depository
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