84 Charing Cross Road
By Helene Hanff
What Amazon Says
Those who have read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a novel comprised of only letters between the characters, will see how much that best-seller owes 84, Charing Cross Road.” — Medium.com
A heartwarming love story about people who love books for readers who love books
This funny, poignant, classic love story unfolds through a series of letters between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer living in New York City, and a used-book dealer in London at 84, Charing Cross Road. Through the years, though never meeting and separated both geographically and culturally, they share a charming, sentimental friendship based on their common love for books. Discover the relationship that has touched the hearts of thousands of readers around the world, and was the basis for a film starring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.
My Thoughts
As you may know, last week, I read Love and Saffron and reviewed it here. According to its book blurb, Love and Saffron is written in the style of 84 Charing Cross Road. So, I decided to check out this book, and it didn’t disappoint me, either. It’s not long, but it’s a sweet story.
I enjoyed reading Helene Hanff’s correspondences with not just the manager but his wife and some employees of the London bookseller and other friends who traveled to England and visited the store. Being a writer, I was amazed to realize that back in the 1950s when this story takes place, a hard-cover book cost about what a Kindle book costs nowadays. The ending is sad but satisfying. If you like to read and/or write, and you enjoy epistolary books that tell a story through letters alone, I highly recommend 84 Charing Cross Road.
***
And now, I’m pleased to announce that until the end of the month, all my books can be downloaded from Smashwords ABSOLUTELY FREE as part of its summer/winter sale. You can click here to visit my author page and download these books. Happy reading!
New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.
Independently published with the help of DLD Books.
Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
***
My Corner 
Hi, this is a great review and I love these kind of books. So here I go again to the Kindle store. I’m telling you, I have bought more Kindle books this week because of book reviews on blog. Than I can count LOL. I even went so far as to buy extra credits on audible so that I could get a specific book there. It’s craziness. Well, it’s all your fault, but this is a great review and one comment you were speaking about the price of the hardcover being the price of what a Kindle is today. Remember the value of money at that time, that was a fair amount of money to spend on a book. Anyway, this was a great review. Have a Super Friday and thanks for sharing.
Patty Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works as an author and social media marketing assistant. Learn more at: http://www.pattysworlds.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Patty. I’m glad you enjoyed the review and hope you like the book.
LikeLike