Lynne’s review of 84, Charing Cross Road > Likes and Comments
55 likes · Like
Oh Lynne, I have fond memories of this book. I'll be expectant to hear your opinion.
It's brilliant Dolors. I especially liked the letter dated 9 December 1949, on realizing that "B. Marks, M. Cohen" are the proprietors:
ARE THEY KOSHER? I could rush a tongue over. ADVISE PLEASE. By Helene H.
Lynne wrote: "It's brilliant Dolors. I especially liked the letter dated 9 December 1949, on realizing that "B. Marks, M. Cohen" are the proprietors:
ARE THEY KOSHER? I could rush a tongue over. ADVISE PLEASE...."
Ha! Helen is hilarious, her spontaneity contrasting with Frank's reservation. I adored this book, it's about friendship and empathy and a lost world of sending dedicated books across the ocean to a real friend you have never met...
Why did you only give it four stars if you adored it Dolors?
Lynne wrote: "Why did you only give it four stars if you adored it Dolors?"
If you don't mind, I'll answer that question when you finish the book! Wouldn't want any spoilers to break the magic for you...
Well Dolors I did give 84 five stars. Now will you tell me why you only rated it four?
Lynne wrote: "Well Dolors I did give 84 five stars. Now will you tell me why you only rated it four?"
Hi Lynne, I see you don't forget promises made to you and I like that very much.
My four stars are due to the second part of the book. My edition contains "The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street" (I suppose yours too although you don't mention it), the diary Helene kept when she finally went to England in the seventies.
And to a certain point, the diary shows a much more frail version of the bold and rash Helen I had come to love through her letters. She becomes in fact all the things that you could read in between the lines during her correspondence with Frank. But that's precisely why I felt even more deeply the absence of Frank's voice counterpointing Helene's real experience of England.
To say it in other words: the end was too realistic for my too much romantic tastes.
In any case, the book is a delight and a little gem to re-read and to give as a present to anyone who loves good literature.
You point out it very well in your review Lynne:
The slowness and the anticipation of life are sometimes so essential to maintaining one’s own inner spirit and equilibrium
Lovely reminiscences of your childhood as well. Touching review!
Perfect Dolors that's all I can say. You've stated in all in a nutshell.
I didn't bother with the "Duchess of Bloomsbury Street" as I found it to be rather extraneous to the letters, which I loved.
Yes, my beloved father. I often just go around and touch, then browse through his books and think about him.
Awesome review Lynne! As you probably know I'm a book collector and have relationships with bookseller thousands of miles away.
Thank you so much Jeffrey. I always appreciate your comments.
Do you deal with any booksellers in Oxford, England by the way?
Lynne wrote: "Thank you so much Jeffrey. I always appreciate your comments.
Do you deal with any booksellers in Oxford, England by the way?"
The main guy I work with is Nicholas Burrows. He has turned me onto some great stuff over the last decade or so.
How many books do you have by the way Jeffrey or is that too personal?
Lynne wrote: "How many books do you have by the way Jeffrey or is that too personal?"
Somewhere around 3,000 that are first edition, first printings many signed by the author. I haven't decided yet if I will sell them once I close in on my termination point (if I have warning) or if I will leave it to the kids to figure out. Then my lawyer Steve Kendall (he thinks he will outlive me, but he doesn't know about the deal I made at the crossroads)or Steve Kendall's son will assist in the dispersal of my book collection. Meanwhile I will continue to add books that I feel will gain value and over time will cull out reading copies and hone the collection into a lean, mean CHA-Ching. I would tell you what they are worth, but Kendall's fee would go up.
Steve aka Sckenda wrote: "Love your review, it is a gem of a book."
Steve, thank you!
Jeffrey wrote: "Lynne wrote: "How many books do you have by the way Jeffrey or is that too personal?"
Somewhere around 3,000 that are first edition, first printings many signed by the author. I haven't decided ye..."
Wonderful Jeffrey - all your books. I used to read a lot of Aldous Huxley and I remember that there was a fire at his house and he lost all of his books, about 4,000 if I recall. Laura Archera (may have forgotten the name) his wife, saw the fire and did nothing! Huxley was so sad that it was beyond belief for him...The various friends tried to give him back the books he lost. They were indeed good friends...
Fabulous piece of reviewing there, Lynne! I envy you your real-life Charing Cross Road experiences.
Steve, thank you so much. I loved going out with my father looking for books. We were on an adventure. My mother never came along as she could never understand why we loved books so much. Why did we? I really don't know but I followed a man, who showed me beauty in books that the schools I went to, never did. He was wonderful: he drove me crazy at times too but he was the individual who introduced me to books and purely for that he was and is the tops!
Lynne wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Lynne wrote: "How many books do you have by the way Jeffrey or is that too personal?"
Somewhere around 3,000 that are first edition, first printings many signed by the author. I ha..."
I did read that about Huxley, very sad affair. Good friends indeed. If I lost them all I'm not sure I'd have the energy to put the collection back together. It wouldn't be the same, as my relationship with the books I have now is that I read that copy. I put that copy in the hands of the writer. Another copy would not quite be the same.
My sadest loss Jeffrey is a book on Seneca that I lent to a friend and he went off to Africa. He was never to be seen again, neither was my book.
I hate loss of books too! A friend of mine borrowed my precious "War and Peace". It came back ripped on several pages (how could that happen - was there a tiger around?) and there were wine and coffee stains on it. I was livid and said nothing, and Rita just said, "Lynne, why are you looking at me like that?"
I never, ever lend books...
Lynne wrote: "My sadest loss Jeffrey is a book on Seneca that I lent to a friend and he went off to Africa. He was never to be seen again, neither was my book.
I hate loss of books too! A friend of mine borrow..."
I don't lend books, CDs, DVDs or really anything that I want to see come back to me. People oddly look on these things as disposable.
They are primitives I'm afraid. Too many of them around.
Lynne wrote: "Steve, thank you so much. I loved going out with my father looking for books. We were on an adventure. My mother never came along as she could never understand why we loved books so much. Why d..."
Lynne, I find it adorable that your father was the one to introduce you to books and I was green with envy when I imagined the two of you walking the streets of London looking for books waiting to be found. That would make one of my childhood dreams fulfilled.
Jeffrey wrote: "Somewhere around 3,000 that are first edition, first printings many signed by th..."
Jeffrey, that's impressive...were I one of your kids I wouldn't let you sell them, no price would equal the real value of such collection.
I have seen only first editions of some classics in House Museums like Jane Austen's (Chawton) or Charlotte Brontë's (Haworth) and I was really impressed.
But then, there this other side in me (I hope this doesn't sound too hippie) which loves "used" books which have passed through a lot of hands and carry hidden stories in them. Sometimes I imagine the kind of "life" they might have had until they reach my hands, and I like feeling part of that story.
Dolors wrote: "Lynne wrote: "Steve, thank you so much. I loved going out with my father looking for books. We were on an adventure. My mother never came along as she could never understand why we loved books s..."
Recently I've been picking up books from the 1920s and 1930s and they all have stories in every nick, every scent, and sometimes even an interesting inscription or bookplate. People, collectors especially, used to have elaborate personalized bookplates made for their books. Old books are archives.
My son has some interest in the collection. It is a lot to take on. He will have to find a wife who shares that passion or it won't work. I would love to have a multi-generation library like so many great European private libraries.
Jeffrey wrote: "Dolors wrote: "Lynne wrote: "Steve, thank you so much. I loved going out with my father looking for books. We were on an adventure. My mother never came along as she could never understand why w..."
Ha! I'd definitely supervise the "wife choosing". If I were you, I would try to ensure the collection is left in the good care of family hands...
Why do I feel talking like "The Godfather" all of a sudden? ;P
Lynne--boffo review. I was in this shop when it was a CD shop in the 1980s. Good film too
Thank you John for liking the review. I didn't know the word "boffo" before but now I do! I wonder if I would like to see the film?
Jeffrey, when you wrote: "When I read: "Recently I've been picking up books from the 1920s and 1930s and they all have stories in every nick, every scent, and sometimes even an interesting inscription or bookplate. People, collectors especially, used to have elaborate personalized bookplates made for their books. Old books are archives",
well it got me thinking about all the books from the 1920s and 1930s I acquired on John Dickson Carr (aka as Carter Dickson). I started with "The Devil in Velvet" (loved it!) in 1996 and ended up purchasing 27 hardbacks and 49 paperbacks over the next few years. I spent in most cases more on postage from booksellers (majority in the US and UK) than on the books themselves. Looking at the hardbacks I see I've got two first editions which is rather nice.
If the cover is damaged Jeffrey, does that affect the value? I see that for a couple of these I paid over £50. for two of them. Was I "conned"?
Wonderful review! This is also one of my favorites. I first read it as a teenager and I think it's what set me on the path to being an Anglophile.
I've just seen your comment Diane. Thank you. I loved this book!!!
As a bookworm,this I have to get,Lynne.
Henry, I know that you would just love this book!!!
Just watched the movie version.A hour ago.Superb.With Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins.Always like to check out,books and films.Of the same story.Movie buff,too,Lynne.
So am I Henry. I was looking at my battered copy of Rebecca yesterday and decided to have another look at the DVD with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. The acting was somewhat "stiff" but that was the style at the time and I still loved seeing the film again.
That's a great film.Reminds me,to read that, too.Yes, have more D V D's than books.And have over 500 books...
I am very curious with this book.. already under my radar.
Kalliope wrote: "I am very curious with this book.. already under my radar."
I think that you would thoroughly enjoy this book Kalliope...
Loved your review Lynne and the beautiful way in which you have pointed out the distinction between snail mail and e-mail. Look forward to reading the book.
Pallavi wrote: "Loved your review Lynne and the beautiful way in which you have pointed out the distinction between snail mail and e-mail. Look forward to reading the book."
Thank you so much Pallavi. This is indeed a real gem of a book and I'm quite convinced that you will love it!
I find that I'm often disappointed in books about books. This was a glorious exception.
What a wonderful review Lynne. I also loved the humour. So entertaining.
Thank you for that David. Greatly appreciated.
Thank you for a lovely review. I just finished the book this evening and was sad to be at the end. Marvelous letters and so evocative of postwar life in London and New York.
Yes indeed a wonderful book Elizabeth. I must reread it.
I strongly recommend Hanff's "Underfoot in Show Business."
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Dolors
(last edited May 08, 2013 06:18AM)
(new)
May 08, 2013 05:29AM
Oh Lynne, I have fond memories of this book. I'll be expectant to hear your opinion.
reply
|
flag
It's brilliant Dolors. I especially liked the letter dated 9 December 1949, on realizing that "B. Marks, M. Cohen" are the proprietors:ARE THEY KOSHER? I could rush a tongue over. ADVISE PLEASE. By Helene H.
Lynne wrote: "It's brilliant Dolors. I especially liked the letter dated 9 December 1949, on realizing that "B. Marks, M. Cohen" are the proprietors:ARE THEY KOSHER? I could rush a tongue over. ADVISE PLEASE...."
Ha! Helen is hilarious, her spontaneity contrasting with Frank's reservation. I adored this book, it's about friendship and empathy and a lost world of sending dedicated books across the ocean to a real friend you have never met...
Why did you only give it four stars if you adored it Dolors?
Lynne wrote: "Why did you only give it four stars if you adored it Dolors?"If you don't mind, I'll answer that question when you finish the book! Wouldn't want any spoilers to break the magic for you...
Well Dolors I did give 84 five stars. Now will you tell me why you only rated it four?
Lynne wrote: "Well Dolors I did give 84 five stars. Now will you tell me why you only rated it four?"Hi Lynne, I see you don't forget promises made to you and I like that very much.
My four stars are due to the second part of the book. My edition contains "The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street" (I suppose yours too although you don't mention it), the diary Helene kept when she finally went to England in the seventies.
And to a certain point, the diary shows a much more frail version of the bold and rash Helen I had come to love through her letters. She becomes in fact all the things that you could read in between the lines during her correspondence with Frank. But that's precisely why I felt even more deeply the absence of Frank's voice counterpointing Helene's real experience of England.
To say it in other words: the end was too realistic for my too much romantic tastes.
In any case, the book is a delight and a little gem to re-read and to give as a present to anyone who loves good literature.
You point out it very well in your review Lynne:
The slowness and the anticipation of life are sometimes so essential to maintaining one’s own inner spirit and equilibrium
Lovely reminiscences of your childhood as well. Touching review!
Perfect Dolors that's all I can say. You've stated in all in a nutshell.I didn't bother with the "Duchess of Bloomsbury Street" as I found it to be rather extraneous to the letters, which I loved.
Yes, my beloved father. I often just go around and touch, then browse through his books and think about him.
Awesome review Lynne! As you probably know I'm a book collector and have relationships with bookseller thousands of miles away.
Thank you so much Jeffrey. I always appreciate your comments.Do you deal with any booksellers in Oxford, England by the way?
Lynne wrote: "Thank you so much Jeffrey. I always appreciate your comments.Do you deal with any booksellers in Oxford, England by the way?"
The main guy I work with is Nicholas Burrows. He has turned me onto some great stuff over the last decade or so.
How many books do you have by the way Jeffrey or is that too personal?
Love your review, it is a gem of a book.
Lynne wrote: "How many books do you have by the way Jeffrey or is that too personal?"Somewhere around 3,000 that are first edition, first printings many signed by the author. I haven't decided yet if I will sell them once I close in on my termination point (if I have warning) or if I will leave it to the kids to figure out. Then my lawyer Steve Kendall (he thinks he will outlive me, but he doesn't know about the deal I made at the crossroads)or Steve Kendall's son will assist in the dispersal of my book collection. Meanwhile I will continue to add books that I feel will gain value and over time will cull out reading copies and hone the collection into a lean, mean CHA-Ching. I would tell you what they are worth, but Kendall's fee would go up.
Steve aka Sckenda wrote: "Love your review, it is a gem of a book."Steve, thank you!
Jeffrey wrote: "Lynne wrote: "How many books do you have by the way Jeffrey or is that too personal?"Somewhere around 3,000 that are first edition, first printings many signed by the author. I haven't decided ye..."
Wonderful Jeffrey - all your books. I used to read a lot of Aldous Huxley and I remember that there was a fire at his house and he lost all of his books, about 4,000 if I recall. Laura Archera (may have forgotten the name) his wife, saw the fire and did nothing! Huxley was so sad that it was beyond belief for him...The various friends tried to give him back the books he lost. They were indeed good friends...
Fabulous piece of reviewing there, Lynne! I envy you your real-life Charing Cross Road experiences.
Steve, thank you so much. I loved going out with my father looking for books. We were on an adventure. My mother never came along as she could never understand why we loved books so much. Why did we? I really don't know but I followed a man, who showed me beauty in books that the schools I went to, never did. He was wonderful: he drove me crazy at times too but he was the individual who introduced me to books and purely for that he was and is the tops!
Lynne wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Lynne wrote: "How many books do you have by the way Jeffrey or is that too personal?"Somewhere around 3,000 that are first edition, first printings many signed by the author. I ha..."
I did read that about Huxley, very sad affair. Good friends indeed. If I lost them all I'm not sure I'd have the energy to put the collection back together. It wouldn't be the same, as my relationship with the books I have now is that I read that copy. I put that copy in the hands of the writer. Another copy would not quite be the same.
My sadest loss Jeffrey is a book on Seneca that I lent to a friend and he went off to Africa. He was never to be seen again, neither was my book.I hate loss of books too! A friend of mine borrowed my precious "War and Peace". It came back ripped on several pages (how could that happen - was there a tiger around?) and there were wine and coffee stains on it. I was livid and said nothing, and Rita just said, "Lynne, why are you looking at me like that?"
I never, ever lend books...
Lynne wrote: "My sadest loss Jeffrey is a book on Seneca that I lent to a friend and he went off to Africa. He was never to be seen again, neither was my book.I hate loss of books too! A friend of mine borrow..."
I don't lend books, CDs, DVDs or really anything that I want to see come back to me. People oddly look on these things as disposable.
They are primitives I'm afraid. Too many of them around.
Lynne wrote: "Steve, thank you so much. I loved going out with my father looking for books. We were on an adventure. My mother never came along as she could never understand why we loved books so much. Why d..."Lynne, I find it adorable that your father was the one to introduce you to books and I was green with envy when I imagined the two of you walking the streets of London looking for books waiting to be found. That would make one of my childhood dreams fulfilled.
Jeffrey wrote: "Somewhere around 3,000 that are first edition, first printings many signed by th..."
Jeffrey, that's impressive...were I one of your kids I wouldn't let you sell them, no price would equal the real value of such collection.
I have seen only first editions of some classics in House Museums like Jane Austen's (Chawton) or Charlotte Brontë's (Haworth) and I was really impressed.
But then, there this other side in me (I hope this doesn't sound too hippie) which loves "used" books which have passed through a lot of hands and carry hidden stories in them. Sometimes I imagine the kind of "life" they might have had until they reach my hands, and I like feeling part of that story.
Dolors wrote: "Lynne wrote: "Steve, thank you so much. I loved going out with my father looking for books. We were on an adventure. My mother never came along as she could never understand why we loved books s..."Recently I've been picking up books from the 1920s and 1930s and they all have stories in every nick, every scent, and sometimes even an interesting inscription or bookplate. People, collectors especially, used to have elaborate personalized bookplates made for their books. Old books are archives.
My son has some interest in the collection. It is a lot to take on. He will have to find a wife who shares that passion or it won't work. I would love to have a multi-generation library like so many great European private libraries.
Jeffrey wrote: "Dolors wrote: "Lynne wrote: "Steve, thank you so much. I loved going out with my father looking for books. We were on an adventure. My mother never came along as she could never understand why w..."Ha! I'd definitely supervise the "wife choosing". If I were you, I would try to ensure the collection is left in the good care of family hands...
Why do I feel talking like "The Godfather" all of a sudden? ;P
Lynne--boffo review. I was in this shop when it was a CD shop in the 1980s. Good film too
Thank you John for liking the review. I didn't know the word "boffo" before but now I do! I wonder if I would like to see the film?
Jeffrey, when you wrote: "When I read: "Recently I've been picking up books from the 1920s and 1930s and they all have stories in every nick, every scent, and sometimes even an interesting inscription or bookplate. People, collectors especially, used to have elaborate personalized bookplates made for their books. Old books are archives", well it got me thinking about all the books from the 1920s and 1930s I acquired on John Dickson Carr (aka as Carter Dickson). I started with "The Devil in Velvet" (loved it!) in 1996 and ended up purchasing 27 hardbacks and 49 paperbacks over the next few years. I spent in most cases more on postage from booksellers (majority in the US and UK) than on the books themselves. Looking at the hardbacks I see I've got two first editions which is rather nice.
If the cover is damaged Jeffrey, does that affect the value? I see that for a couple of these I paid over £50. for two of them. Was I "conned"?
Wonderful review! This is also one of my favorites. I first read it as a teenager and I think it's what set me on the path to being an Anglophile.
I've just seen your comment Diane. Thank you. I loved this book!!!
As a bookworm,this I have to get,Lynne.
Henry, I know that you would just love this book!!!
Just watched the movie version.A hour ago.Superb.With Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins.Always like to check out,books and films.Of the same story.Movie buff,too,Lynne.
So am I Henry. I was looking at my battered copy of Rebecca yesterday and decided to have another look at the DVD with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. The acting was somewhat "stiff" but that was the style at the time and I still loved seeing the film again.
That's a great film.Reminds me,to read that, too.Yes, have more D V D's than books.And have over 500 books...
I am very curious with this book.. already under my radar.
Kalliope wrote: "I am very curious with this book.. already under my radar."I think that you would thoroughly enjoy this book Kalliope...
Loved your review Lynne and the beautiful way in which you have pointed out the distinction between snail mail and e-mail. Look forward to reading the book.
Pallavi wrote: "Loved your review Lynne and the beautiful way in which you have pointed out the distinction between snail mail and e-mail. Look forward to reading the book."Thank you so much Pallavi. This is indeed a real gem of a book and I'm quite convinced that you will love it!
I find that I'm often disappointed in books about books. This was a glorious exception.
What a wonderful review Lynne. I also loved the humour. So entertaining.
Thank you for that David. Greatly appreciated.
Thank you for a lovely review. I just finished the book this evening and was sad to be at the end. Marvelous letters and so evocative of postwar life in London and New York.
Yes indeed a wonderful book Elizabeth. I must reread it.
I strongly recommend Hanff's "Underfoot in Show Business."
