You know the saying every dog has his day? Well, so too does every book. Every book on my bookshelves anyway (at least I do hope so). Rereading Helene Hanff's 84, Charing Cross Road has caused an overwhelming desire for me to pull all sorts of biographies and travel narratives and other odds and ends from the shelves in my little bookroom. Books that get relegated to my little bookroom tend to be older books or books I've already read. And they often get passed over in favor of shiny new books when I am looking for something to read. But the nice thing about having a personal library is that eventually I will be in the mood for a book. A book that very likely has sat on my shelves for years and years, much like Helene Hanff's The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street. As I own all of Hanff's books, 84, Charing Cross Road is just the tip of the iceberg. And for those of you who have mentioned Q's Legacy as a must read--don't worry, it's next up!
However I am turning my attention now to The Duchess of Bloomsbury, which is an account of the trip Helene finally took to London in 1971 shortly after 84, Charing Cross Road was published in Britain. Hopefully I won't be spoiling anything for anyone, but Frank Doel passed away unexpectedly before Helene had a chance to make her journey and see Marks & Co. As a matter of fact when she did finally set foot on British soil, Marks & Co was out of business, but she still had the pleasure of meeting Frank's wife Nora and their daughter Sheila.
Whereas 84, Charing Cross Road had an epistolary format, The Duchess of Bloomsbury is made up almost entirely of journal entries. It's another slender book that could easily be read in a sitting or two, but I will be dipping into it over the course of the week. Why rush a book that is such a pleasure to read? It's filled with Hanff's trademark wit, and to see London through Helene's eyes gives me tingles up my spine. She talks about seeing Dickens' London and being in a pub where Shakespeare used to come, and thinking of the young Elizabeth sitting in the Tower. My teaser is Helene's first visit to Charing Cross Road.
"I felt unreal, knowing I was on my way to that address. I'd bought books from 84 Charing Cross Road for twenty years. I'd made friends there whom I'd never met. Most of the books I bought from Marks & Co. were probably available in New York. For years, friends had advised me to 'try O'Malleys,' 'try Dauber & Pine.' I'd never done it. I wanted a link with London and I'd managed it."
"Charing Cross Road is a narrow, honky-tonk street, choked with traffic, lined with second-hand bookshops. The open stalls in front were piled with old books and magazines, here and there a peaceful soul was browsing in the misty rain."
*****
"The two large rooms had been stripped bare. Even the heavy oak shelves had been ripped off the walls and were lying on the floor, dusty and abandoned. I went upstairs to another floor of empty, haunted rooms. The window letters which had spelled Marks & Co. had been ripped off the window, a few of them were lying on the window sill, their white paint chipped and peeling."
It must have been bittersweet to see Marks & Co after such a long history that she shared with them, however far away she was. I wonder what sort of business resides at #84 now. Many years ago when I visited London I also went to Charing Cross Road, but my memory of it is hazy. Someday I hope to return, but until then Helene Hanff will be my guide as I enjoy her experiences vicariously.