84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

Letters from a buyer to a bookseller/An enchanting vignette, October 9, 2004****


This is a charming and memorable read. It is also a paen to the disappearing art of letterwriting. The book is a selection of correspondence between Helene Hanff in New York and Frank Doel, a bookseller in London. The correspondence spans 20 years from Helene's first request for books in 1949 to Frank's death in 1969. The correspondence rapidly changes from the formal to that between kindred souls who love books and ultimately extends to Frank's coworkers and family. Unfortunately Helene never made it to London to visit the bookstore until after Frank's death.

When I first visited Charing Cross Road, which was lined with bookstores, I thought I was in booklovers'heaven.