SPECIAL NOTE: Two other opportunities for Hanff fans -- Q's Legacy, her book about her writing teacher, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, can be found in our "How to Write" section. We also have a VHS cassette of 84 Charing Cross Road in our video collection. The video is 50 cents, the hardcover book is a mere $2.75.
84, Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff (TPB, 1974, $0.75) -- SOLD
In 1949 the author wrote a request to London's Marks and Company for "clean secondhand copies" of books she had not been able to find in the States. Thus started an overseas relationship that spread over two decades. Most of you already know the story, but I just discovered it. When I finished the story, I found myself wondering what ever happened to Helene Hanffs. Today, going through the new donations, I discovered there IS a further book!
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street (TPB,1976, $1.25) -- SOLD
Even before Hanff's book became famous the requests started coming. "Please come to England!", pleaded her fans. So Hanff plans to go, but ends up having unexpected surgery. She makes it through surgery, to more or less roll out of the hospital and get to the airport. Arriving in London, she realizes she doesn't know how to get to her motel. She is to be met by her friend's family, but she forgot to ask what they look like, and they don't know what she looks like. She is feeling more and more ill. (No kidding!) She still has customs to go through, and how in the world will two strangers find her in the airport crowds. Hanff is on the verge of heading home...
Both these books can be found in the general non- fiction shelves.
