One for book lovers and those who enjoy period fiction. Please take a couple of hours to enjoy this short gem! 4/5 stars.
Firstly, and most importantly, I must mention that Lindsay at Bookboodle and I read 84 Charing Cross Road as a readalong, chatting on Twitter as we went. Although short, this is a great book to share with fellow book lovers and doing a “joint” read was great fun. Thank you Lindsay for suggesting it 🙂
What it’s about: from 1949 to 1969, New Yorker Helene Hanff was in correspondence with the staff of Marks and Co, a second-hand bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road in central London. 84 Charing Cross Road is a selection of this correspondence which documents the growth of trans-Atlantic friendships and mentions many wonderful and wonderfully obscure books.
My take:
I got the 1981 edition of the book (pictured above) which contains both 84 Charing Cross Road and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street. The second book is very much a follow up to the first and they are both quick reads. I would recommend you read them together.
84 Charing Cross Road
The short collection of letters in 84 Charing Cross Road span the Atlantic and 1949 to 1969. And yet in a few words they convey so much about the characters behind the correspondence, the conditions in London and New York in the period, and the events of the day. The devil is in the detail: for example, when you realize that Frank Doel has finally started to sign off his letters with “love” rather than “yours sincerely” and only after 12 years!
Hanff comes across as someone you’d love to have in your circle of friends. She’s funny, warm, generous and holds nothing back. She also uses ALLCAPS brilliantly and makes the only use of the word “varlet” I’ve seen outside Shakespeare. However the real joy comes from the contrast between her brash, outrageous and honest writing, and Frank’s reserved, measured responses which only wink with subtle humour.
Although this is non-fiction, fans of historical fiction will enjoy the details the letters reveal. I learned there used to be such a thing as “Book Post” – a mail service which was cheaper if you were posting books, originally introduced to encourage self-education. Do you think we could bring this back?! I also discovered that after WWII rationing in the UK went on for far longer than I had thought, making the gift of fresh eggs or ham a cause for great celebration.
If I haven’t convinced you to read this yet, there are BOOKS, people. Beautiful, hard-to-find, second-hand books. Rare, exotic birds you’ve never heard of, but which Hanff makes alluring.
[BEWARE. HERE BE MONSTER SPOILERS] The ending. Ah, dear. I actually raised my hand to my heart, perhaps to stop me losing the pieces. And I cried, but then I’m a sensitive soul. I just always thought one day, even after 20 years, she’d finally stop making excuses and get over to London to meet Frank. *sigh* [HERE ENDETH THE SPOILERS]
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street
If you enjoy 84 Charing Cross Road, you should read this. Another short book which is Helene Hanff’s memoir of her trip to London. I love her sense of humour and observations. A couple of exemplary gems:
While describing how London ambulances are quieter than those in New York she comes up with one of the best similes I have ever read:
“The ambulance sirens go BlooOOP, blooOOP, like a walrus weeping under water.”
And I agree with this comment 100%:
“Nothing infuriates me like those friendly, folksy bank ads in magazines and on TV. Every bank I ever walked into was about as folksy as a cobra.”
Overall: I highly recommend this book for book lovers and those who like historical writing of all kinds.
Art and Soul 
It was great to read your review, and I’m so glad you enjoyed reading the book.
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Thanks! Helene Hanff has such a wonderful, distinct voice, it would be hard not to enjoy it 🙂
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Hi Claire… 84 Charing Cross one of my old favourites – love the film too. I’m rereading it this month for a novella reading challenge #NovellaNov & will see if I can get a copy of The Duchess of Bloomsbury as somehow I didn’t realise it had been published so great to see you review it here.
With #NovellaNov theres a free prize of 1 yr subscription with Peirene Press for international translated novellas – all you have to do to enter is visit my blog poppypeacockpens.com and leave a comment about a favourite novella.
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I hope you can get a copy of Duchess because you’re sure to enjoy it immensely if you’re a fan of 84CXRd. I’ll take a look at the competition – thank you for letting me know!
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Ah! Only finding copies of @£100… but have found a copy of Hanff’s Apple of my Eye which has been on my wishlist for years… have you read that one? I did see Harper Perennial are reissuing The Duchess next July…
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I think I must add Apple of my Eye to my TBR. 84CXrd was a big favourite of my sister (we were forced to go on a pilgrimage to the site of Marks and Co!) and she enjoyed Apple of my Eye also.
If you don’t mind owning 84CXRd again and it being a second-hand edition, the cheapest option might be to get a copy of the 1981 edition which contains both 84 and Duchess. I got it on amazon and it was under 3 pounds including delivery: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000ZFTXNA/ref=tmm_pap_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=1446582217&sr=8-4
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This edition also contains both books. Again, very cheap from marketplace sellers: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1860498507/ref=tmm_pap_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=1446582373&sr=1-12
Sorry! Will stop bombarding you with links now! 🙂
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Oh great thanks – I can get that now & then stick the new issue on the wishlist 🙂
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No don’t apologise… saves me hunting it down 🙂
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I read the same edition as you and really did enjoy both – a great review – I especially like the similie that you chose
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Thank you! I don’t think I’ll ever forget that simile. It is utterly marvellous.
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I’ve read and reviewed this. It’s brilliant isn’t it? X
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So brilliant! 🙂 I can’t imagine any book lover wouldn’t enjoy it.
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That’s the copy I had (until i lent it to a friend and they didn’t return it!)…one of my absolute favourite books, so glad you enjoyed it. Great review. Will definitely be heading to those links in the comments above!
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Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it too. It was was a nice surprise to get Duchess in the same volume – two for the price of one!
I’ve also lost books to friends over the years. I’m still suspicious my sister has one of my Harry Potters…
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loved your review.. i just loved this film and i am just waiting for my copy to arrive x
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Thank you! I’d like to see the film very much. I have to ask my sister if she has a copy (she’s a huge fan). x
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Terrific review! I really want to read this book now! 📚📖
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