Reviews - 84, Charing Cross Road

6.19k reviews for:

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.

What transpires is a decades long correspondence with Frank Doel of Marks & Co., as well as his wife and assorted office personnel as they discuss books, war, rationing and so much more. When Helene learns that Frank has passed away, she compiled the letters into a book, 84 Charing Cross Road. This is an absolute delight - charming and engaging and humorous - and full of life and love. This is a book to quiet your soul and soothe your spirit. Hanff's writing is so simple but so engaging. You feel like you're right in the room talking with her.

After 84 Charing Cross Road was published, Hanff finally made it to London for a book tour. The second part of the book, The Duchess of Bloosmbury Street, is her personal account of her time in London, where she finally met Doel's widow, Nora, and daughter, Sheila, along with a whole cast of characters who adored her and her book. Her observations are witty and smart and full of fun.

I highly recommend this short sweet collection of letters and personal observations from a time gone by. I'm so glad I finally picked it up!

idgey's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad fast-paced

abroadeast's review against another edition

5.0

I first heard about this a good while back and it seemed like such a sweet story! To be honest I didn’t know how short it would turn out to be, but it didn’t detract from the book itself. Following the real epistolary relationship between a bookseller in England and a book lover in NYC for over almost 20 years, this memoir is a beautiful reminder that you can find a friend just about anywhere!