84, Charing Cross Road

by Helene Hanff and JAMES HANFF, HELENE ; ROOSE-EVANS

Book Overview

"Those who have read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a novel comprised of only letters between the characters, will see how much that best-seller owes 84, Charing Cross Road." -- Medium.com

A heartwarming love story about people who love books for readers who love books

This funny, poignant, classic love story unfolds through a series of letters between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140143505
• ISBN13: 9780140143508
• Release Date: October 1990
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Wonderful testament to book lovers

I absolute loved this book. It was very short and a true story. I loved the relationship Helene created with strangers across the ocean. Frank who was so formal and polite became a dear friend. It’s true that books and stories can join us and create lifelong relationships. So glad I found this book and was part of the lovely lives of the Marks and Co. bookshop.

such a neat story

I love reading letters between people. And set in a book shop? I knew this would be a win for me. I wasn't ready for it to end. Such a sweet story.

For the all bibliophiles out there

This a wonderful epistolary 'novel' which I would like to recommend to any fellow bibliophile.

Delightful view into the world of another book lover

I saw the movie and loved the interaction between Ms. Hanff and the staff of the book store at 84, Charing Cross; naturally I had to find the book. The book was all I could have hoped it to be. Even better, there was little changed from the book to the movie - an unusual happening indeed. The story, told in letters shared between Ms Hanff and the used book-seller, is brilliant. When finally she is able to travel to Britain, he has died, but she is able to meet his wife and other staff of the store. One has the feeling that one is involved in the story thanks to the way she writes. Strongly recommend

Better than reading someone's diary

Like many people, I saw a movie first. Naturally, due to media constraints, you expect certain amount of the book to be homogenized. Therefore, I wanted to read what was missing. To my amazement very little was missing or modified. I do not normally read this sort of book. Therefore, I was surprised at finding myself wanting more when it finished. In addition, until I read the book I did not realize that Charing Cross Road was a real place. The whole book is based on a collection of correspondence between Helene Hanff, an avid book reader, and Frank Doel an agent for British bookseller. My wife has taken this one-step further and is collecting all the books that were mentioned in the correspondence. Some of these books appear to have been reprinted due to this publication. If you can find it there is a book called "The Library of Helene Hanff." I wonder what became of all the other people described in the correspondents after the book. 84 Charing Cross Road

A BEAUTIFUL, HEARTWARMING BOOK

Anyone who loves books will love this story about a vibrant New York lady's passion for collecting them, told in alternating letters of correspondence between the struggling author and a British antiquarian seller who supplied by mail the treasured secondhand books she could barely afford to buy. An amazing true story spanning twenty years, it was made into a memorable and moving film starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins, and is available on video.Some editions of 84 Charing Cross Road come with the companion book The Duchess of Bloomsbury (or you can get it separately), a diary Ms Hanff kept when she visited London for the first time; but not until the original book had made her famous and she was finally able to afford the dream trip she had longed for. Also try to get her autobiography, Q's Legacy, or her book about New York, Apple of My Eye. Sadly, Ms Hanff passed away recently, but her story will live on forever in the letters that touched the hearts of thousands.

A Treasure

84 Charing Cross Road is a small book of correspondence between Helene Hanff, the author and Frank Doel, a London book seller. These letters chronicle their lives over a twenty year period from 1949 to 1969. Though never meeting, they share a very special friendship, almost a chaste love affair, that extends to his co-workers and family. This is a charming and delightful book about two people you come to care for through their letters and wish you knew in person. A must for your home library. A book you'll read over and over again and share with friends.

84 is my favorite book!

I love this book. You have to read it again and again, it never gets old. It is a book that will touch you and make you think. There is also a great film version of this book staring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins that does great justice to this masterpiece! Well worth the read. You can finish it in one day.

Required reading for every bibliophile

If you've ever relished the glow of gilt-edged pages, joyously breathed the musty smell of an ancient tome, or savored each word of a favorite author like caviar, then you and Helene Hanff are certainly simpatico. This collection of letters between Ms. Hanff and a London book store conveys most eloquently the power of the written word. Through correspondence spanning nearly 20 years you are offered glimpses of post-war England, 1950s New York, and the life of a struggling writer whose main treat is drinking the sweet nectar of the English language. Humorous, entertaining, poignant...simply remarkable