The local librarian recommeneded this book to me...based on the fact that I had just read a book that was letters back and forth to a lady about WWII. Thank you, Deb. Actually, this is 2 books in one. The first part is letters that Helene Hanff wrote to Marks and Company in London. Setting is after WWII. Helene loves English literature and she writes to this book store to ask them to look for old and/or rare (and cheap) books for her. The person who mainly answers her letters is Frank Doel. This correspondence continues over a 20 year period. The people in the book store ask Helene to visit them, but she has no money. The second book is set in 1971 when Helene finally has the money to visit London. Sad part is that some of the people she corresponded with are now dead. However, there are people who help her plan the trip and enjoy London. I think you enjoy this story is that these people share their lives with strangers but yet they are close friends. One of the things in the London visit that interested me was Helene's visit to the Roosvelt Memorial. The British government decided to raise the money for the memorial by public subscription and to limit individual contributions to one shilling. The subscriptions closed in 72 hours...guess they really like FDR. Helene says, that FDR is standing, holding a cane and his cape is flying. She felt they shouldn't have ignored the fact that his great achievements were in spite of the fact that his legs were basically useless. "I'd carve him sitting with the blanket he always spread over his knees to hide his withered legs." I have heard other people say they thought Roosvelt should have allowed pictures of him using his wheelchair. This is two books in one edition so Im going to review them seperately: First 84 Charing Cross Road- This is a book of letters between a woman (Helene Hanff)and a bookshop. This is a charming, at times hilarious insight into one womans book purchses. Basically if youve read The Gurnsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Socitey, this is a bit like that only funnier and actually true. I would go so far as to say that every bibliophile should read this book. - 5/5Now for The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street- this is Helene's diary from when she does eventually visit London. I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would, in part I think this is because I read them straight after each other and the Helene that you find in this book is not the Helene of 84 charing cross road. The Helene in this book is a bundle of nerves, (I think this partly due to it being a diary rather than letters), and is not as funny as 84. It's still a enjoyable travel writing, particualrly when she talks of her favourite spots in London. I think I wouldv'e enjoyed this second book if I'd have had a break in between them. I would only recommend this book if you really enjoyed 84 Charing Cross Road. 4/5
What do You think about 84 Charing Cross Road (1970)?
I love this book and have read it a number of times and will continue to do so.
—rathna
Loving books. Loving life... Longing for London...
—dank
The film's also good, the play even better
—Snoop_Maldonad_247
