Sign in with Facebook
Adina (way behind)'s Reviews> 84, Charing Cross Road
84, Charing Cross Road
by
by
I’ve wanted to read this little book since I first read its name and the synopsis. It is a story of a friendship, a sweet little collection of letters between an American script writer and the employees of a London secondhand bookstore. Since I first set foot on London soil in 2005, I’ve been visiting the second hand bookstores (one in particular) from Charing Cross Road almost every year. I have to admit that I felt a bit of nostalgia while reading.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Societyopened my appetite for epistolary novels (I loved, loved, that one) and I thought this will be quite similar. And it was, up to a point.
Both are set in the aftermath of the 2nd World War which was an interesting background in both books. I did not know that everything was rationalized in Britain for quite a few years after the War. In 86 Charing Cross Road there is a lot of talk about that and the presents the American writer sends to London. It was emotional at the beginning but it became boring and repetitive.
One of the main differences between the two books is that one is a fictional love story the other is a collection of a real correspondence so there was not much space of imagination. Still, I have to thank this little book for getting me out of a deep reading slump.
Another reason I do not give more stars, is that the books mentioned in the letters are totally unknown to me. They are mainly memoirs, poems and non-fiction classics that I’ve
never read. The only titles I knew were Pride and Prejudice and the Canterbury Tales.
All in all, it was worth the read as it takes less than two hours and it made me feel good
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Societyopened my appetite for epistolary novels (I loved, loved, that one) and I thought this will be quite similar. And it was, up to a point.
Both are set in the aftermath of the 2nd World War which was an interesting background in both books. I did not know that everything was rationalized in Britain for quite a few years after the War. In 86 Charing Cross Road there is a lot of talk about that and the presents the American writer sends to London. It was emotional at the beginning but it became boring and repetitive.
One of the main differences between the two books is that one is a fictional love story the other is a collection of a real correspondence so there was not much space of imagination. Still, I have to thank this little book for getting me out of a deep reading slump.
Another reason I do not give more stars, is that the books mentioned in the letters are totally unknown to me. They are mainly memoirs, poems and non-fiction classics that I’ve
never read. The only titles I knew were Pride and Prejudice and the Canterbury Tales.
All in all, it was worth the read as it takes less than two hours and it made me feel good
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
84, Charing Cross Road.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
June 13, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
June 13, 2014
– Shelved
September 22, 2014
– Shelved as:
non-fiction
September 22, 2014
– Shelved as:
short
March 23, 2015
– Shelved as:
british
Started Reading
August 11, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-23 of 23 (23 new)
date
newest »
newest »
Cannot believe you didn't love this book. I don't think I ever met anyone who lives books who didn't respond to this perfect gem of a story.
cameron wrote: "Cannot believe you didn't love this book. I don't think I ever met anyone who lives books who didn't respond to this perfect gem of a story."I cannot believe it either. I was so sure I was going to love it. I bought the book Trafalgar Square (the closest bookstore I could find to Charing Cross Rd). Maybe it wasn't the right moment to read it as I was in a bad reading slump. I do not know what went wrong.
I remember this book as delightfully charming - a feel-good book, like you said. But I also remember that, like you, I had a tough time connecting with most of the literary talk because I was unfamiliar. It’s been a long time since I’ve read it, but the idea of it still makes me smile:)
Michelle F wrote: "I remember this book as delightfully charming - a feel-good book, like you said. But I also remember that, like you, I had a tough time connecting with most of the literary talk because I was unfam..."I also think fondly about it although i only rated it 3*.
Adina wrote: “I also think fondly about it...”I get that. My own star ratings are sometimes really subjective and changeable even from day to day, based on my headspace in the moment. 3 stars is generally still a positive rating from me, though it tends to encompass everything from “almost unremarkable” to “I liked it but didn’t reeeally like it.”
A very informative review, Adina! I read this one this year and loved it for the emotions and memories it stirred in me. I'm sorry it wasn't as entertaining as you wanted it to be but happy it got you out of your reading slump back in 2014. I wonder, and I hope you don't mind me asking, but if you read it again today would your rating change from 7 1/2 years ago? Just curious...:-D
Terrie wrote: "A very informative review, Adina! I read this one this year and loved it for the emotions and memories it stirred in me. I'm sorry it wasn't as entertaining as you wanted it to be but happy it got..."I am not sure. One of the reasons I did not enjoy it as much as I hoped was the fact that I was not familiar with nay of the titles mentioned. That situation did not change.
Excellent review..... so conversational like.... helped me decide on whether or not to possibly purchase. Have you watched the Guernsey movie?
Cindy wrote: "Excellent review..... so conversational like.... helped me decide on whether or not to possibly purchase. Have you watched the Guernsey movie?"Thank you. I’ve been trying to find words that define my reviewing style. Conversational fits very well, thanks. Yes, I’ve seen and enjoyed the movie. Not as much as the novel but close.
Thanks for your review. I've known about this book since I saw the movie way, way, WAY back, as in VHS days. I've had the book on my TBR list long before I heard that term, hopefully your review will nudge me to read it before much longer. Thanks again!
I'm a big fan of well-written epistolary novels myself. Probably I will give this a try, thanks for the review, Adina.
I enjoy second hand book stores the most.
I gave it a "3" also--the letters were charming and apparently authentic, but there wasn't a big enough story there for me to give it a "5" like so many others did.
This has been on my list too! I nearly bought a copy, but I just didn’t like the way it was printed. Will have to try again!
The film made based on this book was lovely!
Louis wrote: "Thanks for your review. I've known about this book since I saw the movie way, way, WAY back, as in VHS days. I've had the book on my TBR list long before I heard that term, hopefully your review wi..."I did not know there is a movie. I hope you enjoy the book when you get to it.
Tamoghna wrote: "I'm a big fan of well-written epistolary novels myself. Probably I will give this a try, thanks for the review, Adina."Thanks Tamoghna. I hope you will enjoy it.
Joe wrote: "I enjoy second hand book stores the most."I have mixed feelings. My nose tickles from too many old books.
le chat gris wrote: "I gave it a" 3 "also--the letters were charming and apparently authentic, but there wasn't a big enough story there for me to give it a" 5 "like so many others did."I agree
Adrienne wrote: "This has been on my list too! I nearly bought a copy, but I just didn’t like the way it was printed. Will have to try again!"Yes, I have no idea why some books are printed in such an unattractive manner.
Teresa wrote: "The film made based on this book was lovely!"Good to know there is a movie after this one.
The street it's not much. It is way to crowded, being around Leicester Square and separating Covent Garden and Soho. I did not know there is a movie, I have to see it soon.