84, Charing Cross Road and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff

84, Charing Cross Road and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street

by Helene Hanff

This book is the very simple story of the love affair between Miss Helene Hanff of New York and Messrs Marks and Co, sellers of rare and secondhand books, at 84 Charing Cross Road, London'. 


Told in a series of letters in 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD and then in diary form in the second part THE DUCHESS OF BLOOMSBURY STREET, this true story has touched the hearts of thousands.

Reviewed by MurderByDeath on

5 of 5 stars

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Well, I just loved this book. Loved in awaythat made me wantto hug it when I finished it.

My edition contains both 84 Charing Cross Road and The Dutchess of Bloomsbury Street - I don't know if this is standard or not, but the two feel like they ought to be part I and part II of the same book. 84 Charing Cross Road is by a mile, my favorite; Ms. Hanff is funny and irreverent and she gives poor Mr. Doel such a hard time and he's just such a gentleman.

The second half made me feel like the most classless twit; all those incredible experiencesI didn't take the time to havewhen I was in the UK that I absolutely should have. She makesme want to go back and do it properly. I was hoping the book would end with her moving to London but instead, the story ends exactly the way it should.

I just loved this book.

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Reading updates

  • 3 January, 2017: Started reading
  • 3 January, 2017: Finished reading
  • 21 November, 2020: Reviewed