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84 Charing Cross Road (VMC) [Paperback]

Helene Hanff (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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Book Description

Publication Date: 3 Oct 2002 | Series: VMC

This book is the very simple story of the love affair between Miss Helene Hanff of New York and Messrs Marks and Co, sellers of rare and secondhand books, at 84 Charing Cross Road, London'. DAILY TELEGRAPH

Told in a series of letters in 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD and then in diary form in the second part THE DUCHESS OF BLOOMSBURY STREET, this true story has touched the hearts of thousands.

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84 Charing Cross Road (VMC) + 84 Charing Cross Road [DVD] [2002]
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Product details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Virago; New Ed edition (3 Oct 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1860498507
  • ISBN-13: 978-1860498503
  • Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 1.8 x 19.9 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 207,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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More About the Authors

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James Roose-Evans
Helene Hanff

Product Description

Review

A lovely new edition of this classic title (Good Book Guide )

A must for anyone who reads - the correspondence between book lover Helen Hanff and Messers Marks & Cross of Charing Cross Road has been reissued. (Daily Express )

Unmitigated delight from cover to cover (DAILY TELEGRAPH )

A real-life love story . . . A timeless period piece. Do read it (WALL STREET JOURNAL )

Book Description

A timeless classic that should be on every book-lover's 'must read' list. First published in 1971, 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD has never been out of print.
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A book to re-read and re-discover 30 April 2001
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I continually find myself surprised by the depth of emotion that I experience on re-reading this great work. I went to buy a copy just after seeing the film on late night television and some one bought the last copy just before me. Waiting the week for the special order whetted my appetite for it all the more. I must say that I highly recommend all of her works, "The Apple of My Eye," and "Q's Legacy" come to mind immediately.
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32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-warming cult classic 7 Mar 2005
By T. Bently VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
"84 Charing Cross Road" is a series of letters charting the twenty-year correspondence between a would-be playwright in NY and Frank Doel, a London antiquarian bookseller. From such a modest premise, Helene Hanff has created something with an almost unique charm which continues to endure as a successful book, play and film.

To me the great joy of Hanff is her style. She is wonderfully conversational, humorous and self-depreciating. She describes her life - learning ancient Greek or watching endless English films - with panache. However, in truth very little happens in these pages. Rather, it is the gently teasing nature of her relationship with Doel which shines out, the feistiness of the young American lady chaffing against the more reserved nature of the quiet, polite English gent, as they read their way through the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

On her death, the Times said tartly, "Seldom has a writer sailed to literary fame in so slender a craft." It is true that 84 CXR is a very slim tome. Yet it is one that bears much re-reading, as it seems that somewhere between the lines there lie more than a few life-lessons for us all.

Pilgrims to the real-life 84 Charing Cross Road will be sad to find that it no longer exists as such. Look out for an "All Bar One" however and a dull, bronze plaque commemorating the bookstore.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Sheer, unadulterated delight 26 Sep 2009
By BookJumper
Format:Paperback
This is the first book I've finished this year since Jasper Fforde's "Lost in a Good Book" in February. My concentration and free time have been non-existent, which didn't help with my university-ingrained need to close read every. single. full. stop. in. a. book. I think it is very telling that with all the good books I've picked up and drifted away from since February, this is the one I put my foot down about finishing. For, this isn't just a good book - it's a great book.

The subject matter (the twenty-year correspondence between Helene Hanff, struggling NY scriptwriter and Frank Doel, poised London bookseller) is as brittle as it is beautiful, so I won't spoil the sparse human events that pepper this tale of literary friendship. Make sure you avoid all blurbs and introductions - which, assuming we are all more informed than we actually are, don't think twice about telling us how the story ends. Just read the thing.

I defy you not to have a lump firmly lodged in your throat when you reach the end. I know I did, even though I'd been preparing myself for it from page 1. This isn't a book which will have you in fits of laughter, or bawling your way through wads of Kleenex; it is the kind of book that has you constantly see-sawing between subtle grinning and eye-brimming.

I am not one to bandy the word "delightful" around the place (so few things nowadays are), but I think that's possibly the only word capable of encapsulating this book. I am happy that, on a whim, I purchased this in the beautiful textile hardcover Virago edition - I know I'll treasure this slim volume forever. I have found kindred spirits in Helene and Frank, ones that I'm loath to let go.... Read more ›
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly charming and heartwarming. 7 Dec 1999
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
My English friend loaned this book to me and I had to get a copy for myself--from England. Thank you Amazon.co.uk!! I loved The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street because I felt the same way when I visited England--it really touched my heart.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars If you love books - you'll love 84 Charing Cross Road 17 April 2007
By A. Hope
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This has become a favourite book for me. Told with such poignant charm, through the letters and other communications from the time. Even those letters which are obviously missing, lost through the passage of time - tell their own story. Helene's long distance friendship with Frank Doel, and others he worked with at that now famous address is a bittersweet one, and one which will remain with the reader long afterwards. Helene's love of books is infectious - and this book is therefore a must for anyone who feels strongly about the books in their home.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Charm, charm, charm 12 Aug 1999
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
It is just a simple little book. But it is so charming and heartbreaking at the same time. If you are a book lover, you will love this book!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book for Book Lovers 18 Jan 2011
By Simon Savidge Reads TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
'84 Charing Cross Road' is a series of very real letters, for some reason until I actually had the book in my hand I thought that it was a work of fiction, between writer Helene Hanff and Frank Doel a bookseller of Messrs Marks & Co a second-hand book shop in the heart of London. What initially starts as very much a business correspondence, between the rather outspoken Hanff and the more reserved Doel, from October 1949 becomes a friendship through letters and a love of books that lasts over twenty years.

If that hasn't already had you running to a book shop to buy it, as it is a most perfect book about books and reading really, there is so much more. As Hanff and Doel's friendship blossoms she starts to send packages of food to him and the other workers in the store during the war, getting friends to visit with nylons etc, thus she creates further friendships all by the power of the pen. Initially (and I wondered if Frank himself might have felt this) Hanff's lust for life, over familiarity and demanding directness almost pushed me to annoyance until her humour and her passion for books becomes more and more apparent along with her thoughtfulness during the war years as mentioned. I was soon wishing I had become Hanff's correspondent myself.

There is a bittersweet twist in the tale, and I don't think it spoils anything to give this away but skip this paragraph if you don't want any spoilers, is that sadly Frank died before Helene could ever go and finally visit the shop. There are several times that she endeavours to get herself to London but due to finances, teeth and other circumstances it never happens.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars 84, Charing Cross Road
A lovely story, very charming. It is a simple tale of initially two people, one British the other American, brought together by a love of literature. Read more
Published 1 month ago by B. D. Tomlinson
5.0 out of 5 stars this is a real treat to be able to read it in the original language
Fantastic and relaxing !! a must.. I read it in Italian and English... and I enjoyed even more because London is my second city being my son a resident
Published 2 months ago by anna maria rizzato
5.0 out of 5 stars 84 Charing Cross Road - BRILLIANT
Excellent book, the storyline was brilliant really enjoyed understanding the characters. Even though it is a short book you could read it again and again without becoming bored. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Emelia
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
After reading all of the fantastic reviews that this book received I couldn't wait for it to be delivered. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Freshman
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful relationship between two book lovers who never meet (but...
The owner of a rare books shop in London (84 Charing Cross Road), and an avid and highly intelligent reader in America is conducted through letters that are quite fascinating in... Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. M. Couper
5.0 out of 5 stars An all time favourite
Great read - every sentence rings with that NY idiom and its perfect counterpoint to FD.
there's a plaque at 84 C C Road worth a pilgrimage...
Published 4 months ago by Suze Dylan
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply charming
I picked this delightful little book up to re-read a couple of weeks ago and immediately fell under its spell once again. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jeremy Walton
4.0 out of 5 stars Great writing
... but is it good theatre? It's just a little too 'cosy' for me. I was looking for a play with a larger female cast. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jonny
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
I first heard about this book from a fellow work colleague, who recommended it to me. I must say it's a joyful read! I am not disappointed.
Published 4 months ago by rosemarie hernandez
5.0 out of 5 stars a feel good book
after reading this with book club I enjowed it so much that I ordered it for gifts for christmas presents.I hope they enjoy it as much as I did.
Published 5 months ago by Em
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