December discussion thread: 84, Charing Cross Road

[Caryl]

Here is our discussion thread for December's group read, 84, Charing Cross Road. Share your thoughts with us here!

[Lisa Jo]

I was unfamiliar with this book but found it funny and engaging. I loved her sharp-edged humor and the gradual way the British proprietor loosened up as their correspondence continued. It was poignant how many times she or the shop staff mentioned her coming to visit - next year, perhaps! - and yet she never did. A wonderful little book.

[SusanH]

I read this yesterday (a very quick read) and just loved it. It's amazing how caught up I became in these people's lives and how clear a sense of their characters you got from the letters they sent. I only wish the bookstore still existed so we could visit it today - it sounds like a heavenly place.

[Caryl]

It's true that even though it's a very short book, with the story told only through letters, you can just picture these people in your head by the time it's through. The movie with Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins is great! Make sure to see it if you haven't.

This is the third or fourth time I read this book, and it still really touched me. I was trying to finish up the last letters quickly, as it was getting to be time to put Charon to bed. I thought, "Well, I know how it ends, I'll be fine." But I still cried. I wish they all had been able to meet, too, Lisa. And yes, Susan, I was disappointed when I learned the shop is no longer there.

Doesn't it make you want to start corresponding with a used bookstore in another country?

[Maribeth]

Originally Posted by Caryl

Doesn't it make you want to start corresponding with a used bookstore in another country?

Definitely Caryl! This was such a sweet read. I didn't know it was a movie. I'd love to see it.

I love this line from Helene, "I do love secondhand books that open to the page some previous owner read oftenest." What a great thought!

Thanks for selecting this one for a group read. I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. Definitely something to read again . . . and again.

Mari

[SusanH]

The movie was on tv recently and I finally got a chance to see it. I really enjoyed it, although I must admit that I got all teary-eyed when it began with her finally visiting the bookstore (which was no longer there). I preferred the book, as I didn't like the hints of romance the movie insisted on putting in, but the film definitely had a sweetness to it, and Bancroft and Hopkins turned in their usual wonderful performances.

[carissanboys]

My copy should be here anyday! Can't wait to read it

[carissanboys]

Finally have a chance to respond. I read this the other afternoon and just loved it. It was such a sweet, simple story and that was told so amazingly well through only letters. I loved Helene's wit! It was also wonderful to read about someone else's love of books.

I actually saw a copy of the movie on DVD at KMart a while back and it was on discount. I should go back and see if they still have it. Otherwise I'll be renting it from Netflix.

Another great pick!

[Caryl]

I'm glad you read this and enjoyed it so much, Carissa! Let us know what you think of the movie when you get a chance.

And Susan, I forgot about the hints of romance in the movie. Definitely not necessary -- it's a much better story without that. They certainly picked the right actors to play the parts, didn't they?

Caryl

[Caryl]

I finished The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street last week, and I definitely recommend it if you read 84, Charing Cross Road. It's another fun, sweet, quick read.

A funny story: Charon saw my copy of 84, Charing Cross Road sitting on the table, and was intrigued by the cover. I told her the premise of the story, and then she wanted me to read some of the letters to her. I had her cracking up at Helene's antics and Frank's polite replies. I'll have to remember that she enjoyed it, and read the whole book with her when she's a bit older.