84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

Amy  

nonfiction

84, Charing Cross Road is a collection of letters between the American writer, Helene Hanff, and the employees (and family members) of the London bookshop, Marks & Co, between 1949 and 1969. Hanff initially wrote to them to ask if they could help her find some used books and Frank Doel responded to her query.  The two then developed a 20-year friendship solely through their letters to each other. They never met in person.

This short 100-page book (or 2-hour long audiobook), was so charming and heartwarming. I absolutely loved getting to know the people who wrote these letters.  England was in the midst of post-war rations and Hanff generously sent the employees care packages with eggs and meat that they were unable to get at home. The staff and their families (and a neighbor!) were so grateful to Hanff that several of them began corresponding with Hanff as well.

The ending was a gut-punch. I’m thankful that Hanff thought to publish the letters so that everyone could get a look into their special connections.

The audiobook was primarily narrated by Barbara Rosenblat (reading Hanff) and John Franklyn-Robbins (reading Frank). Other narrators reading the parts of the minor characters were Simon Prebble, Christina Moore, Jill Tanner, Davina Porter, and Barbara Caruso.  Overall, it was a good cast. There was a little too much breathing (by Rosenblat) and saliva (by Franklyn-Robbins) for my taste and I probably would’ve liked Frank’s narrator to sound a bit younger, but I enjoyed it anyway. I’ll give the ensemble an A- for a job well done. I thought they did a nice job bringing the letters to life.