As someone who reviewed this book on Amazon.com said "I really can't say why I really enjoyed this book but I did."
The basic gist of the story is that this female author in New York called Helene Hanff writes to a rare and secondhand book shop in London to order some books. Over time she corresponds with this man Frank and for about 20 years they write back and forwards sharing more than just books. It's not a romance because Frank is a married man and Helene gets to know his wife as well but it's a special story as they form a strong friendship and so forth. Helene really wants to visit London but her plans don't seem to come together and then 20 years after the letter writing friendship started the London Bookshop's secretary writes to tell Helene that Frank has died suddenly. And that's where 84 Charing Cross Rd pretty much ends.
The Duchess of Bloomsbury St (which in my borrowed version of 84 Charing Cross Road is in the same volume as they're both very short) is the sequel and is Helene's journal/diary of her eventual trip to London and her thoughts and experiences whilst there.
It's just one of those fun stories. Perhaps it's because Matt & I became such good friends via letter writing that I enjoyed it so much or is it that romantic notion that we can be close friends with people we've never met? Anyway, I recommend this book. It will take very little time to read as it's so short. Let me know if you do read it and what you think of it! :) (Oh and I have ordered the DVD of
84 Charing Cross Road which Anthony Hopkins plays in and apparently it makes the book even better....I shall let you know if that's so when it arrives. :))
Matt's Dad sent us these today. Found them rather amusing. Hope they tickle your funny bone too. :)
The questions below about Australia are from potential visitors.
They were posted on an Australian Tourism Website and the answers (some times brilliant) are the actual responses by the website officials, who obviously have a sense of humour.
Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? (UK).
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.
Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.
Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.
Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Australia? (Sweden)
A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.
Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send me a listof them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?
Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which doesnot... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.
Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.
Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.
Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday nightin Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.
Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? ( UK)
A: You are a British politician, right?
Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers. Milk is illegal.
Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and makegood pets.
Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them.You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.
Q: Do you have perfume in Australia? (France)
A: No, WE don't stink.
Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.
Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.
Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)
A: Only at Christmas.
Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.
Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.
