84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

In October 1949 a New York author wrote her first letter to Marks & Co., a used bookseller in London. She had seen their advertisement and, unhappy with cheap American editions of classic literature, wanted to try to purchase higher quality copies that wouldn’t break her budget. Thus began a wonderful correspondence between Helene Hanff, a struggling playwright, and Frank Doel, bookseller. 

It’s difficult to explain the appeal of this book, composed primarily of copies of letters exchanged (with a few notes from other people interspersed) but it’s one of those books whom people either adore or else find extremely dull.  Hanff’s personality shines through, a stereotypical brash New Yorker but a generous and compassionate one; Doel is more restrained, something of the stiff upper lip sort but one can see the friendship blossom.  Hanff can wax lyrical about some of the books she’s read or read about so even if I don’t know the book or passage she references I certainly feel the passion behind them.

Hanff realizes from a friend that England is still under rationing, so that staples like eggs or meat are precious commodities.  She arranges to have some gift packages sent to the employees of Marks & Co., much to their delight and gratitude.  Some of the other employees send letters as well, with admonishments not to tell Mr. Doel that they have presumed to write to his favorite customer.

I found the whole book to be a delight, and was thoroughly charmed by it—so much so that when I heard there was to be a movie, I was somewhat alarmed.  There’s a reason people were shirts proclaiming, “Don’t judge a book by its movie.” With rare exceptions, most fall far short of the book and those are preferable to the ones that totally ruin a book.

But I was happily surprised by 84, Charing Cross Road the movie.  For one thing, it was impeccably cast, with Anne Bancroft as Helene and Anthony Hopkins as Frank.  Bancroft loved the book, so her husband Mel Brooks brought the movie rights for her as a gift. Like the book, it’s not a movie for everyone—not a car chase in sight, for one thing—but it is also well loved.

I’ve gone on to read some of Hanff’s other work, including The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street which is the story of how she finally makes it to England.  I’m currently reading Q’s Legacy; it tells how she fell in love with English Literature thanks to some books by a British professor, and of another trip she took to England. This time she was watching the filming of a BBC production of 84, Charing Cross Road.

If you liked Hanff’s voice in  84, Charing Cross Road, then you’ll hear it even more clearly in her other books.  I have found them all hard to put down.