In January 1969, American writer Helene Hanff Hailian lives in New York. She loves English literature, but 20 years ago, when she was young, her income was limited and she could not buy books in large quantities. She had to read several classic works in her hand repeatedly to satisfy her curiosity. By chance, she came across an ad in a magazine for a second-hand bookstore in England with books she hadn't been able to find anywhere in New York. So she managed to get in touch with Frank, the owner of the bookstore, and kept a correspondence. Slowly, the buyer-seller relationship turned into a personal exchange, in which they expressed literary views in letters, commented on literary works, and later exchanged their living conditions. Frank's letter is restrained, while Heleni's letter is straightforward and humorous. Heleni is determined to meet Frank in London, but the financial constraints make it difficult for her to do so. She finally fulfilled her promise, but it was too late: the bookstore closed immediately after Frank's death and was facing an auction.
84 Charing Cross Road movie plot
2022-04-08 08:01
Extended Reading
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Krystal 2022-04-19 09:03:17
One of the most moving parts was the part when all the staff of the bookstore sent Helen a book for the first time. In the first half so far, I was able to concentrate on watching, but the second half was a bit unbearable. It seems that many people attribute the relationship in the middle to love. Anyway, I don't think so, but the heroine's personality is very distinct, which is a bit unexpected to me.
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Clemens 2022-04-20 09:02:56
Is this ending sad or happy? With affection in my heart, I seduce roses; deeply moved, warm tears...
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Helene Hanff: [In cinema, watching "Brief Encounter", thinking to herself] Please write and tell me about London. I live for the day when I step off the boat-train and feel it's dirty sidewalks under my feet. I want to walk up Berkeley Square, and down Wimpole Street. And stand in St. Paul's where John Donne preached And sit on the step Elizabeth sat on when she refused to enter the Tower, and places like that. A newspaper man I know who was stationed in London during the war says that tourists go to England with preconceived notions, so they always find exactly what they are looking for. I told him I'd go looking for the England of English literature. And he said that it's there.
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Helene Hanff: You know, Frankie, you're the only soul alive who understands me!