Book Review
Mar. 8th, 2003 12:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ventaThis is a book I've been meaning to get rount to reading for ages. And I'm glad I did.
It's a collection of letters sent between Hanff, an American writer, and a bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road, during the 50's. Having discovered that books published in England were much nicer quality (it being a second-hand bookshop, its stock was all pre-war) than their cardboardy American cousins, she writes to them telling them what books she wants, and they reply about availability.
Sound dull ? There isn't a plot to the book, the point of it is simply the unfolding of the relationship between Hanff and the bookshop staff. She writes with flair and complete disregard for convention, they reply with stilted, formal letters on official paper. As the book progresses, the letters from the bookshop go from being signed simply with the shop's name, to being signed by individuals, and eventually by first names...
It's a very short book, really, but the interaction of the personalities is absolutely delightful. The people become more real the more you read, and reveal themselves as thoroughly nice individuals. It's a lovely story, which made me happy simply through its genuineness.
The copy I read also contained the sequel, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, written after the publication of 84 Charing Cross road describing Hanff's journey to Britain to meet some of her correspondents, and to see London. It describes what she did, the people she met, and her reactions to the city she had been inspired by all her life. Events happy, sad and poignant (on a personal level) are all handled lightly, never becoming twee or mawkish. It doesn't have quite the simplicity of 84 CCR, but is a pleasant little tale, and also serves as a timely reminder that history is all around us.
I'd recommend both of these books, to go with a rainy day, tea and crumpets. Ideal for restoring lost faith in human nature.
I've got a shocking hangover this morning. Which I deeply resent as I didn't drink anything last night. If there's anyone who got ratted last night and feels fine this morning, please make yourself known so I can give you a good thumping.
It's a collection of letters sent between Hanff, an American writer, and a bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road, during the 50's. Having discovered that books published in England were much nicer quality (it being a second-hand bookshop, its stock was all pre-war) than their cardboardy American cousins, she writes to them telling them what books she wants, and they reply about availability.
Sound dull ? There isn't a plot to the book, the point of it is simply the unfolding of the relationship between Hanff and the bookshop staff. She writes with flair and complete disregard for convention, they reply with stilted, formal letters on official paper. As the book progresses, the letters from the bookshop go from being signed simply with the shop's name, to being signed by individuals, and eventually by first names...
It's a very short book, really, but the interaction of the personalities is absolutely delightful. The people become more real the more you read, and reveal themselves as thoroughly nice individuals. It's a lovely story, which made me happy simply through its genuineness.
The copy I read also contained the sequel, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, written after the publication of 84 Charing Cross road describing Hanff's journey to Britain to meet some of her correspondents, and to see London. It describes what she did, the people she met, and her reactions to the city she had been inspired by all her life. Events happy, sad and poignant (on a personal level) are all handled lightly, never becoming twee or mawkish. It doesn't have quite the simplicity of 84 CCR, but is a pleasant little tale, and also serves as a timely reminder that history is all around us.
I'd recommend both of these books, to go with a rainy day, tea and crumpets. Ideal for restoring lost faith in human nature.
I've got a shocking hangover this morning. Which I deeply resent as I didn't drink anything last night. If there's anyone who got ratted last night and feels fine this morning, please make yourself known so I can give you a good thumping.
