84, Charing Cross Road

De: Helene Hanff

Narrado por: Barbara Rosenblat, John Franklyn-Robbins

When Helene Hanff makes an innocent inquiry about the possibility of purchasing hard-to-find books through Marks and Co., Booksellers, she begins a 20-year love affair with Frank Doel, the proper English bookseller who answers her letter and sends along her first order in the fall of 1949.

They are two very unlikely correspondents: she a cranky Jewish New Yorker who writes TV scripts and lives in a messy apartment on East 95th Street; he a determinedly courteous middle-class Englishman who sends her beautifully bound and often obscure antiquarian books from the shop he manages on Charing Cross Road in London.

The letters, written between 1949 and 1969, capture the period and pay tribute to the special kind of reader who treasures a well-worn classic.

©1970 Helen Hanff (P)1993 Recorded Books, LLC

Lovely and bittersweet

I have been meaning to read this book for over a decade. I don't know what took me so long!

I love epistolary books (Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society is one of my faves as well) and kept forgetting this is non fiction while reading it! It is lighthearted, lovely and bittersweet when you get to the end. I'm not much of a crier reading books but this one did get me a little teary eyed. I do wish there was more in between on what all these real life people were doing in their lives those 20 years these letters span. I gave the story 4 stars in that case because I wish there was a bit more.

love love love

I wish the world was like this again. simple, pure, genuine love and caring... terrific listen (and the movie is pretty fab too)

Just plain lovely!!!!!

This is one of my favorite books. The caste does a brilliant job of bringing it to life and I look forward to listening to it again with hot coco in front of a fire.

Quiet, charming, humble, funny.

I was aware of this book from the movie. This is a wonderful way to revisit. There is such deep love and humor here. All the joys and sorrows, misgivings and plans that life holds, and then are gone. Suburb listening.

Lovely Story

Many years ago I saw the movie, 84 Charing Cross Road. I have only seen it once. it did stick in my mind and when I saw the book version on Audible, I had to pick it up. I am so glad I did. The book version brought the characters to life for me in a way that the movie didn't. I got to put my own faces on Helene and Frank. I highly recommend this short and heart filling book.

Wonderful

This is such a delightful delicious book. The narration is perfect and the story is just lovely. For a real true scholar there is a lot to be learned. For the ordinary listener it is just a charming book.

A Total delight

Such a charming book. I am so impressed with the ability of the characters to pull us into their lives. I’m picturing them even though there was not a shimmer of a description of any. And how I’d love to visit the bookshop! So sorry it’s over; think I’ll reread.

LOVELY

If a book could hug you, this one does. Get yourself a warm beverage and pastry and cuddle up for a couple hours to enjoy this wonderful classic. You won’t be sorry. :)

Wonderful writing & reading’

Loved it all and wished there was more! I may have to look up some of the titles mentioned.

Charming and sweet

This recording is such a faithful adaptation of the lovely book! I laughed and cried and truly missed London. It’s just wonderful to have such a beautiful recording!