The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street Paperback – July 12, 2016

Wish there was more

I bought this sequel to 48, Charing Cross Road because I enjoyed the first book and I was looking forward to a week in London. It is a charming read, and a glimpse into a society that is long gone, but loevly to imagine.

I bought this book after watching the movie 84 Charing Cross Road. The plot was very touching, simple daily work activities became something more meaningful through the narration of the movie and that’s what prompted me to purchase this book. Again I was not disappointed. I like the way the writer narrates her experiences while living in Britain, she brings out the hospitality of the British people and introduces readers to the various parts in London and Oxford etc, if they have never been there, through her recollection. It’s definitely an enjoyable read for me.

I read her books years ago and wanted to again. Her love of history and her writing talent gave her a life in NYC. In WWII she reached across the Atlantic to find books she needed as she wrote plays for live TV based on historical figures.

A delightful sequel to 84 Charing Cross Road. 😊

A great read for a rainy day. The ambience just seeps from the pages and you can almost see the streets of London.

As a long time fan of 84 Charing Cross Road, I had to read Helene Hanff’s account of her much anticipated trip to the beloved England of her literary heroes. It crackles with wry humor and wit much like the author and is a breezy, pleasant read.This doesn’t quite come up the splendor of her first book but is certainly an enjoyable follow- up.

The suthor, who had spent years in communication with a book store in England, finally had the whereithall to travel to England to meet many of the people with whom she had corresponded. Over the years, she had built strong friendships and sent packages of food hard to obtain in England. When her book about this unusual relationship was published, the funds enabled her to visit her pen-pal friends, but on a very strict budget. The book tells of her joy in seeing the historic sights and meeting people who essentially adopted her, making her trip more pleasurable and memorable. A great story! I wish it were longer.

This is beautifully written, and besides, it's about an incredible city. Yes, it would be recommended to read 84 Charing Cross Road before. I suppose. But even if you didn't, there's no way you won't be charmed by the story (or stories).

Loved it loved it loved it! I was right there with Helene, I laughed out loud. I wept. And mostly I loved sharing her amazing improbable visit to meet people she'd learned to cherish in correspondence all those years before, and to visit places she'd only dreamed of. This is a heart-warmer. It's a stand-alone book, but you'll love it even more if you've read "84 Charing Cross Road."

Excellent read, especially if you have an interest in London, as I do, living here. Lovely to hear such enthusiasm about a vibrant city. You can feel her excitement oozing off the pages, and a few historical facts thrown in that I wasn't aware of. A clever lady, with a charming acerbic nature at times! Such a shame she's no longer with us. Shall read more of her books!

チャリングクロス街84番地をプレゼントしてもらい、大ファンになったので、その続編に当たるこちらを購入。期待通り、あるいはそれ以上に楽しめました。ヘレーン・ハンフの文学に対する情熱、人情の厚さ、謙虚で飾り気ない人柄など感動します。今年イギリス旅行を計画しているので、彼女が歩いたところをたどるのも楽しみです。

Tras años de querer conocer Londres, Helene Hanff finalmente logra su deseo a raíz de la publicación y el éxito de su novela autobiográfica 84 Charing Cross Road. El trato que recibe es tan magnífico que se nombra a sí misma la Duquesa de Bloomsbury St (lugar en el que se encuentra su hotel). Durante su estancia lleva un cuaderno en el que narra el día a día del viaje, habla de la gente que conoce y los sitios que visita, todo de forma amena y concisa; ese cuaderno es este libro y es una delicia.