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Dec
23
Book Review: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
2008 at 8am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
On October 5, 1949, New York City-based writer Helene Hanff wrote a letter to the staff of the Marks & Co. bookstore in London. She had recently read that the store specialized in antique books and was hoping they’d be able to help her find affordably priced rare books in good condition, as her local bookstores offered only “very expensive editions” or “grimy, marked-up schoolboy copies.” A Mr. Frank Doel responded to Hanff’s first review requests, but as her correspondence continued, other members of the staff and their family members heard about her and began writing her as well. 84, Charing Cross Road presents excerpts from their 20-year correspondence.
The letters begin rather formally, with Hanff making requests for specific books and Doel writing back to tell her when to expect them and how much it will cost, but Hanff’s sense of humor quickly comes out, and she coaxes Doel into less formal correspondence. Soon, their letters include bits of personal information and stories about their daily lives, and Hanff finds herself forming a friendship with a person (and later, with a whole group of people) she has never met. All of the staff at Marks & Co. know of Hanff and eagerly look forward to her letters, often sending their own replies or reaching out to her on their own.
In thanks for their help, Hanff sends the staff gifts and cards, and there is a constant back-and-forth about her plans to visit London. Though she never did make the trip, Hanff’s friendship with Doel and the staff at Marks & Co. endured for more than 20 years, and one gets the feeling that they might all be meeting up in a big bookstore in the sky someday.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and had been looking forward to it since many of you recommended it as similar to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The letters are simple and warm, and looking at the gaps in time between request and reply gives us a reminder of a time when the pace of life was slower. At only 97 pages (very few of which are filled with text), this is a charming little one-sitting read that is perfect for a cold winter evening. I’d recommend it for anyone who loves books and bookish people. 4 out of 5.
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This is going on my list! Thanks for the review.
This book sounds sweet. Thanks for the review!!
Well I absolutely loved Guernsey, so I am going on the hunt for this book! Thanks for reviewing it and bringing it to my attention!
I’ve heard of this book before but never knew what it was all about. Thanks for enlightening me.
I saw the film based on this story a few months back and really loved it. I kept picking up the book at work, but never actually brought it home. Perhaps I’ll take another look around for it!
I bought it after I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society too and read someone’s recommendation.
After you review I am looking forward to it even more!
I read the Guernsey … first and then Helene Hanff’s books. I liked them both.
Now I have to go down in the basement and search out my copy of this one. It’s a “classic”…and there’s a nice film too. Look for it on Netflix.
After the Guernsey book, I’ll have to read this book, which has been gathering dust on the shelf!
I wish you the best in this holiday season, full of joy and memories, and a healthy, bookish new year! Merry Christmas!
Found your review via Sat Review. I read 84 Charing Cross Road years ago after seeing the movie. Helene Hanff did make the trip to England, but not until the bookshop had closed and her friend, Frank Doel had died. Apparently she wrote a book about her trip, but I’d never read it.
[...] of The Customer is Always Wrong: The Retail Chronicles edited by Jeff Martin and 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene [...]
Hello, Isaw the movie, it was old world and so sweet, I loved the reinactment of the time frame. So I’m a nostalgic person. I loved the period setting. I have been searching for the movie for many years without success. I did not know about the book. I will now buy the book.
[...] 84, Charing Cross Road: Several bloggers mentioned this in conjunction with The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I don’t know why I hadn’t heard of it before, and I loved every minute of it. [...]