84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of 84, Charing Cross Road
Book Review: A funny, sweet story of correspondence
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a funny, sweet story of correspondence that was a delight to read. It is a story told in letters between Helene and a bookstore in London. I am a fan of diary style, journal and epistolary style books and this book fits that style pefectly. The time period of the letters was from the 1940's through the early 1960's. Helene was a writer and enjoyed the used books the bookstore sent to her. She got to know the employees and their families and their lives through the letters that they sent back and forth. It is sad that Helene never made a visit to England. She tried on many occasions but something always came along that she had to put her money towards instead.Book Review: A joyful book
Summary: 5 Stars
I got an immense amount of pleasure reading this little book of correspondence between a woman in New York City and a used bookseller in London. The letters span the years 1949 to 1969 and revolve primarily around Helene Hanff's search for English literature classics that she had difficulty acquiring in New York. Could a book sound any blander??? Well, I'll tell you it's not! It's a wonderful read.I'd rather not go into any details lest I diminish the pleasure of this book to anyone unfamiliar with it and considering reading it. It is not a love story, nor is it maudlin or overly sentimental, it's just wonderfully entertaining.
The only thing that might have made this book even better might have been some annotations or background information on some of the characters or the bookstore itself. Though I hesitate in mentioning this because such additional material might actually take away from the charm of the book.
A couple of her subsequent books do answer some questions, but the books themselves are not quite the same as this unique volume. Also, the book was made into a movie of the same name which was pretty good - but read the book first!
Book Review: A small wonderful book
Summary: 5 Stars
I first found this book ten years ago and I havebeen in love with it ever since. Comprised only
of letters, I often call this book a ray of
sunshine. Last year I gave it to my on-line
friends as I think that it is the kind of book
that on-line friends can identify with all too
well. It will make you smile, make you laugh,
and in the end make you cry. Please trust me and
get this book..the movie isn't half bad either.
Book Review: A tiny bit of perfection
Summary: 5 Stars
Admit it or not, we all like to read other people's mail. This wonderfully charming book of letters between a New York book lover and a London book seller is like a perfectly wrapped exquisite little gift. It's so brief you can easily read it in one short sitting, but it's so intimate, funny and warm I can guarantee you'll read it over and over.Book Review: A top notch message on networking, values and people
Summary: 5 Stars
This book (which was later made into a good movie with Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft)is set in the post World War II era. For us boomers, we thought that everything came back to normal quickly after the war, but this story shares some of the ongoing hardships encountered by Europeans during the next decade of rebuilding. Shortages of certain every day foods, stockings and what we think of every day items were evident.
The story of an American woman who is always searching for certain old book classics and the staff of a small English independent book shop is detailed, interesting and at times moving. As time moves along, two of the principal characters continue to communicate by letter but they never meet. I don't want to give away the ending, but this is a story on networking and people caring in times past. Well done!
John Hogan
HoganHospitality
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