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Trevor's Reviews > 84, Charing Cross Road
84, Charing Cross Road
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I love this book and love the film they made of it too. It is sloppy and sweet and warm and, you know, just right. It is the sort of book one could read in an hour or two over a pot of tea on a cold winter's afternoon and just enjoy. Pure delight.
If you needed to be reminded that love of literature is as good a foundation of love of the world as any other 'religion', that the people we write to can be closer and dearer to us than those we see day after day - then this really is a book written to remind you of just that.
If you needed to be reminded that love of literature is as good a foundation of love of the world as any other 'religion', that the people we write to can be closer and dearer to us than those we see day after day - then this really is a book written to remind you of just that.
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Helen (Helena/Nell)
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Aug 24, 2008 12:15AM
Couldn't agree more. I heard it serialised on the radio and it made me cry.
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Thanks, Trevor! I've added it to my list of to-reads.
My list of 'to-reads' doesn't contain any of the books I'm going to read next - I'm either going to have to become more organised or admit that I'm more interested in pretending to be very random in my reading choices.I'm sure you'll enjoy this book - it would be like finding out someone didn't enjoy Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader.
Take what is more or less a stereotypical New York Jewish woman and introduce her to a more or less stereotypical Englishman of the early fifties, complete with RP accent and manner, and have them write to each other for years and years - her a writer, him a bookseller. Toss in many and repeated acts of kindness and generosity on both sides. Mix it all together with the types of accidents that life is far too ready to be composed of and this true story really is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
Me, too. Read this book years ago, but still remember it.
I love your little review, Trevor. That second paragraph is so true. Your summary in comment #3 is grand as well, and so pithily stated.
There is that lovely line by Churchill that the UK and US are separated by a common language - I think this is the kind of book that shows that although separated the differences might not be irreconcilable. Thanks Jeanette.
Trevor wrote: "There is that lovely line by Churchill that the UK and US are separated by a common language - I think this is the kind of book that shows that although separated the differences might not be irreconciable..."For me that gap has certainly been narrowed by the internet.
I was just reading the Good Reads description of the book. Is it just me, or is it misleading? It makes it sound like they were exchanging more than just letters and packages. Hmph. Well, I'm due for a re-read on this one. Maybe I missed something the first time through.
Perhaps they needed someone who had read the book to write the blurb.
Ha! Now there's an idea that may just catch on someday.
Putting thousands out of work in the process, you watch.
If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. So I duly re-read the book, then changed the blurb. Ah, the feeling of power! ;-)
Oh, well done, that's lovely.
love that second para of your review. Really true
Reading your review just after completing the book was a pleasure.Very nicely written.
Thanks Mark and Inder - all the best.
