84 Charing Cross Road
29 journalers for this copy...
The delightful correspondence of New York writer and a London bookseller, spanning many years.
Offered and claimed on a Book Relay. Off to Alabama!
I received this from a relay. Thanks kristamd! I will read soon.
Quick Read! Helene is such a hoot! I would have loved to met her when she was alive. She was also a very kind and generous person. I hope she finally got to go to London even if Frank was dead. I don't see this as a love affair but a great friendship.
Offered up on relay
Journal Entry 6 by cheesygiraffe at mailed in Casualreader.net, Bookrelay -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Released on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 at mailed in Casualreader.net, Bookrelay Controlled Releases.
Mailing off to JDT today. Enjoy!
Mailing off to JDT today. Enjoy!
This book just arrived today - and I can't put it down. Such a wonderful read, restrained, humorous, heartwarming book! I'll probably finish it tonight before going to sleep.
Thanks for the great book relay, cheesygiraffe!
(and hi to kristamd!)
Thanks for the great book relay, cheesygiraffe!
(and hi to kristamd!)
Sent this unique, enjoyable book on to ILuvToRead2 - part of a book relay.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Journal Entry 9 by 
ILuvToRead2
from -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Illinois USA on Tuesday, May 11, 2004
ILuvToRead2 from -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Illinois USA on Tuesday, May 11, 2004
What a delightful little book! I received it in the mail yesterday, and I finished reading it before I even had a chance to journal that I had received it. It's one of those "I can't put it down" books. Thanks to JDT, cheesygiraffe, and kristamd for sharing this book - I can't wait to pass it on to another BookCrosser!
Journal Entry 10 by ILuvToRead2 from -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Illinois USA on Thursday, January 20, 2005
ILuvToRead2 from -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings --, Illinois USA on Thursday, January 20, 2005
This book is a happy little Relay book for the fourth time. It is on its way airmail to Fantasma who accepted it on the Numbers Relay. There are also a few little goodies tucked inside - Enjoy!
Wow, that was quick!!
It was the fastest book from USA I've received.
Thanks for sending it to me, ILuvToRead2, and I was so pleased with the goodies!! :)
It was the fastest book from USA I've received.
Thanks for sending it to me, ILuvToRead2, and I was so pleased with the goodies!! :)
Journal Entry 12 by Fantasma from Carnaxide, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Wednesday, January 26, 2005
A small entry from the book:
(talking about Christmas presents, in this case a book) - "I'll have mine till the day I die - and die happy in the knowledge that I'm leaving it behind for someone else to love. I shall sprinkle pale pencil marks through it pointing out the best passages to some booklover yet unborn."
Really a great little book. And a great friendship.
Let's see who'll have the pleasure of reading it after me...
"It all began with a letter enquiring about second-hand books, written by Helene Hanff in New York, and posted to a bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road, London. As Helene's sarcastic and witty letters are responded to by the stodgy and proper Frank Doel of 84 Charing Cross Road, a relationship blossoms into a warm, charming, feisty love affair. We follow, in her subsequent letters and in the shop's responses, the trial of one woman;s idiosyncratic path through English literature. Along the way, as Anne Bancroft notes in her introduction, our enjoyment in sharing. Hanff's literary eduction is deepened by the human story her letters tell as she grows ever fonder of her bookselling friends across the ocean."
(amazon.co.uk)
(talking about Christmas presents, in this case a book) - "I'll have mine till the day I die - and die happy in the knowledge that I'm leaving it behind for someone else to love. I shall sprinkle pale pencil marks through it pointing out the best passages to some booklover yet unborn."
Really a great little book. And a great friendship.
Let's see who'll have the pleasure of reading it after me...
"It all began with a letter enquiring about second-hand books, written by Helene Hanff in New York, and posted to a bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road, London. As Helene's sarcastic and witty letters are responded to by the stodgy and proper Frank Doel of 84 Charing Cross Road, a relationship blossoms into a warm, charming, feisty love affair. We follow, in her subsequent letters and in the shop's responses, the trial of one woman;s idiosyncratic path through English literature. Along the way, as Anne Bancroft notes in her introduction, our enjoyment in sharing. Hanff's literary eduction is deepened by the human story her letters tell as she grows ever fonder of her bookselling friends across the ocean."
(amazon.co.uk)
Journal Entry 13 by Fantasma from Carnaxide, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Bookring starting!!
Remember you can only keep the book with you for 15 days. After that you'll be punished! ;)
The ones from Lisbon, choose your prefered order:
* fflloorr +DONE+
* Xana +DONE+
* Virgulina +DONE+
* mady +DONE+
* Goide + DONE +
* tho +DONE+
* Maria-Nunes +DONE+
* PreciousArwen +DONE+
* Elsita +DONE+
* Escalla +DONE+
* patxocas +DONE+
--------------------------
Then, following this order:
1* syrin (Coimbra) +DONE+
2* Winkiemoon (Porto) +DONE+
3* Witchie (Espinho) +DONE+
4* PCSAF (Gondomar) +DONE+
5* ichigochi (Gaia) +DONE+
6* BookHaven01 (Porto) +DONE+
7* Kapalika (Porto) +DONE+
8* fio-dagua (Porto) +DONE+
9* borbolletta (Fig.Foz) +DONE+
10* quico (Coimbra) +DONE+
11* Satyanarayani (Almada) +DONE+
12* Cokas (Almada) +DONE+
(se a Cokas não quiser enviar para a Moimeme, pode vir para mim que eu envio)
13* Moimeme (do outro lado do mundo :) - Tasmania) +DONE+
14* Lunavita (Santarém) - pediu para ser a última das últimas! :o) +DONE+
Remember you can only keep the book with you for 15 days. After that you'll be punished! ;)
The ones from Lisbon, choose your prefered order:
* fflloorr +DONE+
* Xana +DONE+
* Virgulina +DONE+
* mady +DONE+
* Goide + DONE +
* tho +DONE+
* Maria-Nunes +DONE+
* PreciousArwen +DONE+
* Elsita +DONE+
* Escalla +DONE+
* patxocas +DONE+
--------------------------
Then, following this order:
1* syrin (Coimbra) +DONE+
2* Winkiemoon (Porto) +DONE+
3* Witchie (Espinho) +DONE+
4* PCSAF (Gondomar) +DONE+
5* ichigochi (Gaia) +DONE+
6* BookHaven01 (Porto) +DONE+
7* Kapalika (Porto) +DONE+
8* fio-dagua (Porto) +DONE+
9* borbolletta (Fig.Foz) +DONE+
10* quico (Coimbra) +DONE+
11* Satyanarayani (Almada) +DONE+
12* Cokas (Almada) +DONE+
(se a Cokas não quiser enviar para a Moimeme, pode vir para mim que eu envio)
13* Moimeme (do outro lado do mundo :) - Tasmania) +DONE+
14* Lunavita (Santarém) - pediu para ser a última das últimas! :o) +DONE+
Here it goes to fflloorr.
Will you finish it by tomorrow?? ;o)
Will you finish it by tomorrow?? ;o)
Truly the best book I've read this year!
Thanks Fantasma for organizing this ring, otherwise I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get to know such a wonderful work.
Thanks Fantasma for organizing this ring, otherwise I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get to know such a wonderful work.
It's with me know. I'm really looking forward to read it.
On should read this book after something like The Grapes of Wrath or something really depressing by Thomas Hardy so that one can balance once again our trust in Human Goodness.Loved the way Helen was so informal and wild with her writting in contrast with Frank's British ways. And how could I resit the little mentions to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? Helen must have been my kind of person :)
It's with me right now. I only have 15 days to read it? Don't know if I can do it! ;o)
This is a fantastic little book, perfect for all booklovers! A real friendship built through letters is something not seen too often nowadays. Helene was so funny in her letters while Frank was as courteous as an English gentleman is expected to be (I'll bet Anthony Hopkins was perfect in this role). I can't wait to read the sequel and see the movie! ;o) Thanks for the BookRay Fantasma!
I've received this book yesterday from Virgulina. And I've already read it. This is truly a great little book! Thanks a lot Fantasma for organizing this bookring and fflloorr for the lobbying ;)
I loved Helene's character and her humour. Also Frank's 'uprightness' and way of understanding Helene's hints amused me. :) Highly recommended!!!
I'll only have the chance to pass this book forward next week, so meanwhile my bro may read it too. :)
PS - I love writing letters and have made true friends through penpalling :) So the book being made of letters made it even more interesting for me!
I loved Helene's character and her humour. Also Frank's 'uprightness' and way of understanding Helene's hints amused me. :) Highly recommended!!!
I'll only have the chance to pass this book forward next week, so meanwhile my bro may read it too. :)
PS - I love writing letters and have made true friends through penpalling :) So the book being made of letters made it even more interesting for me!
A charming little book :-) I've intercepted it last Sunday when it was going from Virgulina to Escalla, and began to read it almost immediately ... The letter exchange between Helen and Frank (and the rest of the bookstore employees) is witty and humorous, a must read for all booklovers like us. Can't wait to see the movie now ;-)
Will be going to Escalla tomorrow ...
Will be going to Escalla tomorrow ...
Journal Entry 22 by 
Maria-Nunes
from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Friday, March 4, 2005
Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Friday, March 4, 2005
What a delightful little book! I got it in yesterday, in a BC meeting-up and I've almost finished reading it before I even had a chance to journal that I had got it. It's one of those "delicious" readings :)
thanks so much for sharing!
I shall pass it as soon as possible (maybe only next week, when I'm going to meet PreciousArwen...
thanks so much for sharing!
I shall pass it as soon as possible (maybe only next week, when I'm going to meet PreciousArwen...
What a sweet little book.I loved Helene's humor and kindness and felt like her when she tells us "I houseclean my books every spring and throw out those I'm never going to read again like I throw out clothes I'm never going to wear again. It shocks everybody"...
Took me a while to realise the letters were facsimiles, not fiction.
Because of it I am going to make a list of people to whom I must send short letters or cards, or something, just to remind them how much I appreciate their friendship :)))))))
Ah! And I will be adding a copy of this little book to my personal collection. Thanks Fantasma for letting me take part of this bookring.
I will pass this charming book to another bookcrosser tonight.
;o) It´s with me now!
Thanks, dear Fantasma!!
Thanks, dear Fantasma!!
Lovely little book!!I've read the others journal entries and I can't add anything else... ;)
I really enjoyed Helene's sense of humour and also her generosity for the Marks & Co staff.
About the bookshop, I was curious about it, so I made a search. Check out this link 84 Charing Cross Road.
Released 19 yrs ago (3/21/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed to Escalla today!!
Have a nice journey!!
Mailed to Escalla today!!
Have a nice journey!!
I'm a little late on this entry. Read it after mady.
It's a nice small and very very addictive book.
Not a GOOD book, and a little limited in scope, we only know a very small part of the characters lifes at the time because we only see the letters. I'm criticizing because I enjoyed it and wanted more of it. It's wasted potential. Helen is adorable. And pitiful.
* SPOILER *
She never actually got to London (not in time)! And it seems she could have made it with some effort. And anyone that reads the book will say it would be worth it. I think she was scared to face it and kept postponing :]
I saw the movie with mady this weekend and Anthony Hopkins and err... 'Helen' were great. But it adds nothing to the book, it's just a visual translation. I had already seen it, while reading! The director should have done more.
It's a nice small and very very addictive book.
Not a GOOD book, and a little limited in scope, we only know a very small part of the characters lifes at the time because we only see the letters. I'm criticizing because I enjoyed it and wanted more of it. It's wasted potential. Helen is adorable. And pitiful.
* SPOILER *
She never actually got to London (not in time)! And it seems she could have made it with some effort. And anyone that reads the book will say it would be worth it. I think she was scared to face it and kept postponing :]
I saw the movie with mady this weekend and Anthony Hopkins and err... 'Helen' were great. But it adds nothing to the book, it's just a visual translation. I had already seen it, while reading! The director should have done more.
Journal Entry 29 by Escalla from Lisboa - Parque das Nações, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Even managed to make me a bit emotional near the end.
Adored the bits about the War in the beggining, all around a great book, i recommend it to any book lover.
Going to Patxocas now.
Even managed to make me a bit emotional near the end.
Adored the bits about the War in the beggining, all around a great book, i recommend it to any book lover.
Going to Patxocas now.
Received 10 minutes ago by the hand of Justicar who came to my house delivered. :-)
Thanks Fantasma, Escalla and of course Justicar.
Thanks Fantasma, Escalla and of course Justicar.
Loved.Fantastic book.
And what a fantastic friendship had born from the letters. :-)
Rememebers me my old days at school when I had pen friends.
Thanks fantasma for the ring.
Going to syrin now.
Came in the mail today.The package was open, but I don't think anything's missing!
Thanks for haring, Fantasma!
Wow, what can I say that everyone else hasn't said before.This is a truly wonderfull book.
Even though I haven't heard of most of the books Helene was looking for (and I call myself an English Literature graduate!), I loved every single page of it. It helped that Helene's sense of humor actually made me laugh outloud. Luckily I was home alone, otherwise someone might've called the hospital.
I couldn't stop reading it until the end, turning page after page after page... until 1969. I wasn't prepared for 1969, really, I just kept wondering: when is she going to London? When is she finally going to meet these people? No, I really wasn't prepared for 1969. And I hate that it's over.
But still, I know this happens: things don't last forever, we meet people, and as time goes by, we loose touch. But memories, those never go away, do they? (queue the violins, please!)
I'll leave you with my favorite part:
«I remember years ago a guy I knew told me that people going to England find exactly what they go looking for. I said I'd go looking for the England of English Literature, and he nodded and said: "it's there".
Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't. Looking around the rug one thing's for sure: it's here.»
Thanks so much for this bookring, I'll put it on my wish list, to remember to buy one for me. And I want to see the movie. And there's a sequel? Virgulina, tell me all about it!
[09/05/05] On its way to Winkiemoon today!
It´s a lovely book :)
Recebi-o na Quarta, em mãos! Obrigada Winkiemoon, chegou são e salvo!
Já o li quase todo e estou a adorar, quero uma cópia para mim! Obrigada, Fantasma, o livro é lindo! E adoro a Helene! Mesmo!
Já o li quase todo e estou a adorar, quero uma cópia para mim! Obrigada, Fantasma, o livro é lindo! E adoro a Helene! Mesmo!
This is really the most lovely book! I loved to see this relationship growing, even with an ocean in between. I loved Helen, she was so... daring, so straightforward, so open! She really speaks her mind out and I really loved that!
Thanks, Fantasma, for the chance to read it. It was a great experience!
This book resumed its journey today and it's now on its way to PCSAF.
Thanks, Fantasma, for the chance to read it. It was a great experience!
This book resumed its journey today and it's now on its way to PCSAF.
Arrived safely, thanks Witchie!! I will read asap. After all the JE I am very curious about it.
I loved this book... and remain curious to know more about this story!! I'm glad I joined this ring. Sorry for taking so long to read it, but working and studying ate the same time, doesn't leave me much free time.
It's on its way to the next person. Enjoy!
It's on its way to the next person. Enjoy!
Arrived today! Thanks PCSAF for sending, and Fantasma for organizing the ring...
It's the only bookring I have with me (how did this happen? :)) so I think I will be able to read it in 15 days... :)
It's the only bookring I have with me (how did this happen? :)) so I think I will be able to read it in 15 days... :)
I read it last night.. it was so small and captivating that I couldn't put it down untill I finished :)It's really a charming little book. I only wish I had read it before reading all these JEs... as it was, I already knew that Helen would never go to London and that something bad would happen in 1969.. :(
Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable reading... and the extra stamps and the small pencil notes added by previous readers, made it a particularly special BookCrossing experience... Helen would have loved it :)
It's on its way to BookHaven01...
i loved this charming book.
it was a pleasure to read this story about books and booklovers.
thanks a lot fantasma!
i'll send it to kapalika tomorrow.
it was a pleasure to read this story about books and booklovers.
thanks a lot fantasma!
i'll send it to kapalika tomorrow.
recebi hoje!obrigada BookHaven01!:)e obrigada Fantasma!! =)
I'm waiting for the address of the next bcrosser to send it on...
Thanks for the opportunity; it is indeed a lovely book!
Thanks for the opportunity; it is indeed a lovely book!
arrived today.
thanks a lot ;)
thanks a lot ;)
a sweet book indeed!
made me want to be surrounded by old old books...
asking the add to pass it on.
made me want to be surrounded by old old books...
asking the add to pass it on.
Chegou, borbolletta. Obrigada!
A pleasure! I absolutely need a copy for myself.As LunaVita has too much to read now, this will go to Satyanarayani.
On the road again...
Journal Entry 50 by Satyanarayani from Almada, not specified not specified on Thursday, November 10, 2005
The book has just arrived!
Thank you
Thank you
Received a few hours ago. Cokos will read it first and then he will pass it to me 'cause right now I'm in the middle of another great ring :)
I'm delighted by this great little book. Helene Hanff has definitely changed the way people look at second-hand books and she has also touched many lives with her big sweet heart.
My wish for 2006 is very simple: I wish more "Helenes Hanffs" all around the world!
My wish for 2006 is very simple: I wish more "Helenes Hanffs" all around the world!
Seguiu hoje para a Moimeme... na Tasmania!
Espero que chegue depressa :)
Espero que chegue depressa :)
It arrived safely to me! The envelope was opened but the book is safe! Since it's such a small book, and after reading all the journal entries, I think I'll start it today!
What a delicious, delicious little book! I can't say nothing that hasn't been said already, but it sure was a great way to start bookrings this year!
Thank you so much Fantasma for this opportunity, and Hi to all you bookcrossers reading this journal entry;)
I'll send it to Lunavita as soon as I have her address.
20/01/06
I had Lunavita's mail address since last week but I only posted the book today! Sorry!!!
Thank you so much Fantasma for this opportunity, and Hi to all you bookcrossers reading this journal entry;)
I'll send it to Lunavita as soon as I have her address.
20/01/06
I had Lunavita's mail address since last week but I only posted the book today! Sorry!!!
Just arrived!
In good health as you asked.
Thanks moimeme and fantasma. I'll probably read it fast... dispite my TBR mountain...
In good health as you asked.
Thanks moimeme and fantasma. I'll probably read it fast... dispite my TBR mountain...
Done!
An absolutely delicious book.
Thanks Fantasma for this lovely bookring.
Should I send it back home or do you want me to send it to anyone yet?
An absolutely delicious book.
Thanks Fantasma for this lovely bookring.
Should I send it back home or do you want me to send it to anyone yet?
Afinal só ontem é que teve sorte e seguiu caminho.
Bolas que desta vez demorei tempo demais entre terminar e enviar...
Quando chegar aí dá sinal.
Bolas que desta vez demorei tempo demais entre terminar e enviar...
Quando chegar aí dá sinal.
Cá está o "sinal"! :o)
1 year and 2 months later, here it is back home! I'm glad everyone enjoyed this book so much.
1 year and 2 months later, here it is back home! I'm glad everyone enjoyed this book so much.
