Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Favorite Book or Movie? 84 Charing Cross Road

I loved the movie but must confess I have never read the book. It’s the true story of a woman (Helene) who lived in New York in the 1950s, and wrote letters to a bookseller in England (Frank). Frank specialized in second-hand books and rare editions, and after seeing an ad for the shop, Helene started a correspondence requesting books she couldn’t find in the U.S. “I am a poor writer with an antiquarian taste in books,” she explained. “If you have clean second-hand copies of any of the books on the list, for no more than $5 each, will you consider this a purchase order and send them to me?” Over a period of 20 years, she and Frank exchanged stories of their lives and sent parcels to one other. The book is the collection of these letters.
There is a wonderful slideshow showing the author with Anne Bancroft, meeting the Queen Mother at the premier of the film, and several other stills from the movie. VIEW SLIDESHOW AND ARTICLE FROM THE TELEGRAPH HERE. Be prepared for chills and a delightful read.
See the movie trailer here.

11 comments:

Priscilla said...

I don't remember there being a movie, but I read the book years ago. And I loved it. I almost never go to a movie theatre. The sound is so loud as to be painful.
The Telegraph article is wonderful.

Kristin_Texas said...

I never knew there was a book, too! Saw the movie on Netflix a while back. I wish they'd do a remake.

Kristin

laney said...

...the book was wonderful wonderful wonderful...never saw the movie...

@coolgreenpines said...

This film left quite a mark on me. I loved it so much!

Thank you, Rosemary, for reminding me and sharing with your followers this lovely story. It will always be a special, sentimental film for me.

Bonnie said...

Like you, I remember the movie with Anthony Hopkins and, was it Anne Bancroft? I have always wanted to read the book; it is a difficult book to find. I would love to see the movie again.

Bonnie said...

So sorry, I just realized you did say it was Anne Bancroft. I was questioning my own memory.

Anonymous said...

I loved this book when I first read it in the 70s. I actually wrote Helene Hanff a fan letter and got a Christmas card from her in return, which I still have. Many years later I wrote her another letter after reading a later book and she wrote me again! She was a gracious and interesting lady.

Sharon

Karen said...

The trailer looks wonderful. I will definitely rent this. I hadn't heard of the movie or the book (or else I had forgotten). Thanks for the tip.

Karen

Anonymous said...

I loved watching the film, too. But, now a few years later it isn't crisp in my mind. Would like to see it again or "read" it for the first time.
Thanks for the reminder.
Linda

Anonymous said...

I first watched the movie because I love Judi Dench. Then I read and fell in love with the book. Thanks for the link in The Telegraph.

~skye

Kay G. said...

I love this book AND the movie!
Many times, a movie will let you down when you care so much about the book, but this one happily DID NOT disappoint! Thanks so much for the link to the English newspaper!