Source: Gift
Description: This is the remarkable story of how Helene Hanff came to write 84, Charing Cross Road, and of all the things its success has brought her. Hanff recalls her serendipitous discovery of a volume of lectures by a Cambridge don, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch. She devoured Q’s book, and, wanting to read all the books he recommended, began to order them from a small store in London, at 84, Charing Cross Road. Thus began a correspondence that became an enormously popular book, play and television production, and that finally led to the trip to England – and a visit to Q’s study – that she recounts here. In this exuberant memoir, Hanff pays her debt to her mentor and shares her joyous adventures with her many fans.
Genre: Nonfiction - Memoir
Why I Picked This Book: 84, Charing Cross Road has been one of my favorite books for as long as I can remember so when I discovered this book by the same author I knew I had to read it - though of course it's been sitting on my shelf for about 2 years.
My Impression: Oh this was a wonderful book. The kind of book that just demands a cup of tea and a cozy reading spot. While I adore 84, Charing Cross Road I was underwhelmed by her book The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street so I had some hesitation going into this book.
Here we meet Helene when she is finishing up her first and only year of college and discovers a book of lectures at the university library. We follow her through her young adulthood, her early career, and the writing of her book 84. However, the bulk of the book takes place after that book is published and shows how Helene deals with the surprising reaction to the book that no one thought would ever get published and all that follows.
If you have read 84, Charing Cross Road you absolutely must read this. It's context for that book and more. If you haven't read 84 then you really really need to read that and as soon as you're done with that book pick up this one!
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would! And I will definitely reread this one.
Would I Recommend this Book? Absolutely! While I think you can skip Duchess this book and 84 are must reads!
Would I Recommend this Book? Absolutely! While I think you can skip Duchess this book and 84 are must reads!
Thanks for the recommendation; I loved 84 Charing Cross Road.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDelete84, Charing Cross Road is a favorite... must read this one!!
ReplyDeleteOh dear I still have 84 Charing Cross sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. Sounds like I should read it and then look at this one. Does sound like it really hooked you.
ReplyDeleteDon't you wish you could have met Helene!
ReplyDeleteBut, wait, I guess in a way you have.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that I have even heard of 84. Off to go look that one up!
ReplyDeleteI'll be adding it to Goodreads. 🙌🙌🙌
ReplyDelete