Rate this book

Brev Till En Bokhandel (1970)

by Helene Hanff(Favorite Author)

4.23 of 5 Votes: 4

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

En bok för alla

review 1: A beautiful book about a twenty-something years correspondence between a New York Writer, Helene Hanff, and a London bookseller, Frank Doel. I really enjoyed this book and love reading about people who love books, almost passionately. It was a small charming read and I loved how Helene's brassy way of writing loosened Franks British reserve, and each letter brought a more relaxed, sometimes humorous, response from Frank. I did not feel it coming, but on the last page I felt myself welling up and to my surprise a tear,or two,was shed.I highly recommend this little gem.This book also contained another story from Helene Hannf,'The Duchess of Bloomsbury street', which sees Helene keep a diary of her first visit to London. I must say I expected more from this- do not get me wro... moreng I enjoyed it also, but it lacked the magic of 84 Charing Cross Road. This was the writers first time meeting those she had been in correspondence with for years and yet her excitement and happiness was not evident. She spent most of her time with people she had never written to, and those she had longed to meet are not present as much as they should have been. I felt emotion was lacking in this story.
review 2: Unlike most Goodreaders I was not that enamored with 84 Charing Cross Road. I'm beginning to think that epistolary works are not my cup of tea. At least not right now. I was also disappointed in Guernsey Ladies Potato....and nearly everyone on Goodreads has rated that higher than me. First, let me say, that I think I would have adored Helene Hanff in real life - her quick mind, her generosity, her lack of conceit, etc. I enjoyed the first part of the book, in which the friendships are established, and the letters are frequent, and most importantly, more revealing of daily life in post-war Britain and America. Unfortunately, I became quite bored with the last third of the book. The letters just didn't interest me. One a year was just not enough. The 1960s (!!!!!!) were just a blip. Not that the social scene was the focus of the letters, but certainly a lot changed during that time, and it seems something would have crept into those letters. Worth reading for the comparison of life in England and America after WWII. I have started the Duchess... and am enjoying it so far. Will update when finished.Unfortunately, my rating doesn't budge. There were some interesting tidbits of factual trivia, but most of the Duchess was, like a diary, just telling what she did and saw with so-and-so. Guess her personal experiences just didn't interest me that much. I've never been a person interested in others day-to-day details. (No twitter for me!) And that's what this is. However, if I ever go to London again, I'll remember this. It would have been fun to read while taking in the sights. less

Download links for: Brev till en bokhandel

Advertising