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A review by eswee
84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
This was a delight! I never read an epistolary before which is about letters mostly. Some books cover journal entries, but this was something else. As a penpal-er myself, it was easier too read than I expected. The letters are funny too. Not all of them are added, and sometimes there are long time gaps (which is VERY NORMAL when penpalling) but you get to see the bond evolving between Helene from the US and Frank and his staff, wife and even a neighbor from London.
The second part of the book is Helene's diary from when she finally is able to visit London and her experience there. It's a bit slower too read and more crammed with people's names and her activities, but it's a good sequel to the letter-writing part of the book. You'll get to be just as excited when she wakes up in London her first morning and sad to be leaving when the time comes.
Because it's non-fiction you also get multiple glimpses of what live was like in the 50's and 60's, which is a nice bonus too.
The second part of the book is Helene's diary from when she finally is able to visit London and her experience there. It's a bit slower too read and more crammed with people's names and her activities, but it's a good sequel to the letter-writing part of the book. You'll get to be just as excited when she wakes up in London her first morning and sad to be leaving when the time comes.
Because it's non-fiction you also get multiple glimpses of what live was like in the 50's and 60's, which is a nice bonus too.