84, Charing Cross Road

One of our all time favorites! If you are old enough to know about the aftermath of WWII in London, you will appreciate this delightful, short book. A real feel-good story. It was a nice movie as well with a few seemingly unnecessary changes.

Real letters.I miss old fashioned letters, perhaps especially now that we live in the age of email. There are so few real letters left now, and this little collection here is a gem. I was reminded of some old 'real' letters saved, having by now collected dust, left from my parent's generation, and from a time long gone by.Occasionally I stumble over collections of published letters in antique bookstores.I found this by accident in my favorite corner book store. It is by Helene Hanff, and it's thin so it easily escapes your eye. Happy to learn that it has been reprinted by Penguin.I was in stitches the moment I opened and began reading the first letter, and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them.With book orders from Amazon now, the occasion for the letters will likely not be repeated. Helene was ordering used books from the book store in London.The collection covers letters exchanged between ordinary people living their separate and ordinary lives on two Continents; one, Helene, in America, a freelance writer, living alone in a small apartment in New York City, E 95th Street, and in England, the staff in an antique bookstore in London, on 84, Charing Cross Road, Marks & Co; mainly Frank signing the letters from Charing Cross Road. The period spans three decades, starting a few years after WW 2, in the period of austerity in England.By now, I have read it several times. I also learned that it has become a cult classic. And it has even been turned into a movie.I found the book especially captivating because of its humanity and good humor. It brings the times and the people to life.And the contrast of cultures can't help but to captivate; the no-nonsense prose of Helene, contrasted with the British polite formalities.From Marks & Co to Helene: "Dear Madam; In reply to your letter of October 5th... ." And a PS in Helene's reply letter: "I hope "madam" doesn't mean over there what it does here."The exchanges continue through the years, each one with book orders from Helene, and payments enclosed in the envelopes from Helene. And during rationing in London, there are food packages from Helene to friends at Marks & Co.Sometime in the sixties, Frank dies unexpectedly. Sadly the two never get to meet in person.In one of Helene's last letters: "The blessed man who sold me all these books died ... . If you happen to pass by 84 Charing Cross Road, kiss it for me? I owe it so much." -- Review by Palle Jorgensen, April 2011.

With fifty years of memory on my brain's hard-drive, I can't actually remember when I first came across this volume. To say this book has left an indelible mark on my heart would be an understatement; it has had a profound effect on my life.This book is `the perfect storm' for me. I have a couple paperbacks, a copy of the play script, an audio book, and the film. I love the era, the book love (not just reading but being around books, the library, haunting old book shops - talking about books and just being with the books) and also letter writing to friends. I have a couple of pen pals - my favourite is my friend Edel in Ireland (oh, how I long to jump on a plane and surprise her). I love most English things and NYC too (the theatre, museums...). Like Helene, my heart skips a beat as I approach my mailbox and see a package waiting for me. For me this book evokes a time and a place - a simpler way of life.She was a near-do-well. Her book "Underfoot in Show Business" details her career. She only "just" made enough to get by. She wrote plays that were never produced. She wrote for "live" television, but when the studios learned how to "film" television everyone moved to Hollywood. Helene wrote educational books - biographies for children. This book, "84, Charing Cross Road," the play and film, her subsequent books and "Letter from New York" (her BBC radio broadcasts), kept her solvent, but never made her rich.I found a hardbound edition at Powell's (in Portland, OR) that I would run into a burning house to save.In "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Holly talks about 'the mean reds' - when she and the world are at odds and everything just seems wrong (which is different from 'the blues') and how she goes to Tiffany's..."84, Charing Cross Road" is where I go.RE: the audio book: I've read the book several times (+ other books by Ms. Hanff): I adore the film - one of my all-time favorites. So, why did I even need to purchase this? Well, I'm always looking for short books like this one to take on trips (and such). This one, is just a little slice of heaven. I've been in love with Juliette Stevenson ever since "Truly, Madly, Deeply," and on through "Being Julia" and "Bend it Like Beckham." Her performance here is all you would expect. I laughed and I cried all over again. I can not recommend this one enough. Buy it - NOW.

Purchased as a gift, but the item arrived quickly and in excellent condition. Would recommend this seller.

Love this book

Very well written