Helene Hanff Author Spotlight

[@HighHolyOne]

WHO at Marks & Co could have imagined that a letter from an American looking for books could have involved them all in a 20 year very loving relationship! We don't meet people in life by accident, and Helene reminds us all to be present in the moment, and celebrate the joy it brings.

[@tammyripp998]

Big fan of 84 Charing Cross Road, more of these author spotlights please Olive!

[@8765granteaton]

Thank you for this! In the late 1980s when I was planning a trip to London I actually wrote to Helene asking what I should see as a devout Anglophile. I had seen the movie “84 Charing Cross Road” starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins and it was reflective of what I desired to experience and her love of the England you can only find by reading its great writers and historians. She wrote to me on her stationery and I couldn’t believe she was kind enough to answer my queries. Humorous, detailed and full of honesty…, I still treasure that note to this day. I was so lucky to have had the chance to correspond with her.

[@krzysamm7095]

I loved 84 Charing Cross Road and Qs Legacy. They both gave wonderful insights into what it took for her to continue with writing.

[@helennelson5845]

Thank you so much for this Olive! I love the idea of an author spotlight. I've only read 84 Charing Cross Road, but this is one of my favourite books! What a fantastic woman Helene Hanff was, but so sad she never experienced financial security.

[@karenbird6727]

I agree, I have such a passion for 84 Charing Cross.Road. I have read it at least 8 times.

[@LaRosaReads]

You speak of Helene Hanff so eloquently and with such love! She is an author who’s never been on my radar and now I’m so curious about her. I lived in NYC for a bit and would love to dive into those books and 84 Charing Cross Road. I love that they are on the short side because my TBR is overflowing. lol

[@claudiadeoliveira6124]

I just finished listening to 84 Charing Cross Road. What a precious gem!!! I am fascinated by the author's writing and am glad I came across your review of the book here. Now I have a list of the other 5 books by Helene Hanff's. Thank you so much for the review and all the background information on her and her work. You inspired me to learn more about her.

[@Momba_Jules]

I’ve read and loved 84 Charing Cross Road and since then have a bunch of her books on my TBR. Thanks for this video because I feel like she doesn’t get the attention she deserves!

[@texaspatriot4215]

I loved the movie 84 Charing Cross Road which led me to the book and finally her other books. You did a great job covering her in this video.

[@julierogers1155]

Olive, I just ordered like a banshee from your links re: Helene Hanff books. Thanks for the great summary discussion of Helene Hanff and her writing! I had already read 84 Charing Cross Road (LOVED it), but had not read any of her other books.

[@thomasfreitag3532]

A well written, well presented synopsis of Hanff. Thank you.

[@ellenannmarie]

I loved your video. I also love Helene and her books. I was not aware of the "Letters from New York" book so I quickly went and ordered it. Thank you for this wonderful review. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@joannicholson3051]

Reaiiy loved this about Helene Hanff . first heard 84 on the bbc radio many years ago with Miriam Karlin and Frank Findley. Then the film, both very good, then the book excellent reading. Must say Olive you have made a really lovely documentary on Helene and I thank you so much. Juanita

[@carijohnson5834]

Loved this video, I read 84 charing cross and was great to have a deep dive into the author's life. 😊

[@John-jy4dj]

Just finished watching this funny , heartwarming and emotionally moving movie since the last time I had seen it with my girlfriend who is no longer with us - so I shed a few tears at the end for more than one reason. We both worked in different bookstores for years as a couple so this really hit home. Peace and good reading to all - Ps - I gave her the book Adrift to read which she really liked which also makes one ponder the phrase Grateful to be Alive

[@allisonryder4781]

I just finished 84 and love the humour and snorted a few times throughout. I came a searching your site first as you are my go to book tuber. I adore Helene Hanff and 84 will be a yearly read for me now. I’m so sad she didn’t meet Frank and the gang! I wonder what happened to Felicity and Megan! Thanks Olive. I’ll be reading Duchess next and go from there. Thx again for this video, it was very interesting . ❤

[@francescathomas3502]

That was a WONDERFUL Spotlight!! I am extemely impressed with all your research. You found some details and photos that I have never seen before, and I did a lot of research on Helene's life. I have been reading Helene's books ever since I saw the movie back in 1987 or 1988!! I still have 4 of her books on my Shelves. Those books are Underfoot in show business, 84 CCR of course, Q's Legacy (my most favourite!!) and Duchess of Bloomsbury street. I have also read Letters from NY and Apple of my eye, (Pretty sure I got those from the Library) and like you I did not care for them at all. Probably because I dont live in NYC, but like you, I did not like the travel writing. I dont really like Bloomsbury street very much either. (again for the travel writing), The 3 books of HH's that I love the most are 84CCR, Q's Legacy and Underfoot in Show business!! Did you know that Helene was also Diabetic? I dont know what type it was, (type 1 or type 2) but she may have had to pay for insulin as well, and insulin in the USA has always been expensive. I also have diabetic family members, but fortunately here in Canada, insulin is relatively cheap. Thanks again for a wonderful spotlight!!!

[@caterinemasak2193]

Thank you so much for an entertaining spotlight on Helene Hanff. I am a Brooklyn girl who loves all of New York. Lov 84 Charing Croos Road book

[@catherinefong8143]

Helene Hanff came to my life after i graduated from college when I got more spare time reading not studying books,I also developed a passion old second books.84 Charing Cross Road the first book I read and the best of all her writings.

[@lizaltieri]

Thanks for your video. Indeed, I think you either get this or you don't. It's a tale of two cities. Helene described her city shifting around her. In 1970, when it became a hit in London, so much of the city was rapidly disappearing, including, of course, the bookshops on Charing Cross Road. This was a loss to so many people who loved old books and prints, especially over the loss of Paternoster Row on December 29, 1940. These shops essentially operated as a sort of system of little libraries. Many had trunks full of unopened books and papers in their upper rooms, sent by people from all over the then empire who knew they could be trusted to be preserved one way or another. We'll never know what was lost (I think Byron's diaries might have been there...) The loss of them is inestimable.

[@mikecordasco9346]

Wonderful video. Thank you so much. I met my closest friend, who lives in Eastbourne, in a similar fashion. After years of written correspondences, I was finally invited to England so that we could finally meet. Oddly enough, I arrived in London Heathrow Airport on June 18th, the very same day Helene Hanff did. Anglophiles of the world unite.

[@takingteawithcatherine]

I won't post a link in a comment, but I love the video on KZbin of Helene Hanff on the set of 84 Charing Cross Road with Anne Bancroft. I was also upset about her financial difficulties. I worked down the block from her apartment at the time of her death and it was already an annoyingly expensive area. But it's a sadly common problem that beloved writers and artists struggle in their lifetime.

[@delltaylor9678]

Love this Spotlight video.,,, hope you plan to do more of these …. Just fabulous!! I loved 84 Charing Cross Rd and visited it while in London. Although the bookstore is gone, there is a plaque at the site commemorating its past. Love your channel and your work.

[@blgtn2103]

Thank you for this lovely video. A long time fan of Helene, you’ve pointed out one of the things I’ve appreciated in 84 Charing Cross Road: her candor about financial obstacles. This morning, as the plumbers work downstairs and we are facing an unanticipated and hefty bill, I feel calmed and reassured to be reminded of her resilience. Thank you; I’ve recently found your videos and have enjoyed them.

[@stregalilith]

Me too!

[@glendaw5221]

I just loved this. I discovered 84 Charing Cross Road by accident many years ago. I’ve reread it many times over the years. I checked Q’s Legacy out of the library but had to return it before I could delve into it. I will now collect ALL of her other books! Have you read Thursdays ‘til 9 by Jane Lahey? In a long ago effort to find something similar to “84” I ran across it. It’s not “84” but it’s enjoyable. If you have any other books to recommend that use the style of “pen pals” please let me know. There will never be another Helene Hanff!

[@sherrirabinowitz4618]

I enjoyed this, I came to the book via the movie with Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins, (the reason why we went to the movie is my Mom loved a show called on PBS called A Fine Romance and As Time Goes By, with Judi Dench so Mom videotaped them and we all fell in love with her, so when the movie came out and my Mom saw Judi was in it. So, we had to go.) so being a book nut, I searched till I found the book. I love it. I still have the one I bought in the 80's, But I have never heard of all the other books. I really would love to find all of them too. Thank you.

[@charlottekim9325]

Goodness, I had no idea that Helene was an actual person. I fell in love with 84 Charring Cross Rd. because of the movie with Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft. I actually got a little emotional watching this video because I didn’t even know that this was a book!

[@KierTheScrivener]

Thos is such a beautiful deep dive. About the royalties and making sure the Doel having their share made me cry

[@shillanassi]

Thank you for a great overall review of Helene Hanff’s work. One has to wonder, considering the success of 84 Charing Cross Road, why she continued to live in financial precarity. I’m wondering what the terms of her contracts were and to what extent she was given a bad deal.

[@brendanmchugh473]

I’ve been a fan of Helene for a while and I absolutely loved and appreciated your video about her. So well done and researched! I’ve been wanting to see a video this in depth focused on her books and life. Thank you!

[@pghbekka]

What a lovely author spotlight! I discovered 84, Charing Cross Road as an impulse browse at the library years ago and then devoured her other writings I could find. If you haven't yet, I recommend trying the works of Diana Athill, who was a British literary editor and memoirist.

[@launchedathousand]

Since you first talked about 84 Charring Cross Road I've been interested in reading it! Loved this spotlight! Can't wait to dive into her other books afterward.

[@pmvaldez999]

Thank you for giving her such a great overview. I fell in love with with her writing and was elated when I saw your video I had to watch it immediately

[@shonfeliciano8012]

Simply loved this video, you did an Excellent job. And all the information was wonderful. A +++++

[@maryhinkle1756]

Thank you, Olive for this lovely introduction. I look forward to learning more. Have a great weekend!

[@kimhoot2044]

I really enjoyed the movie then read the book and liked it as well. Thank you for this author spotlight. It was the video I didn't know I wanted.

[@MilenaReads]

I loved this video! I read 84 charing cross road last month and had a great time. Letters from New York sounds amazing!

[@elecole71]

Great video!! She's always been one of my favorites. Thanks for doing this video. What a great resource! 😊❤📚

[@elizabethbrink3761]

Helene Hanff and I share a birthday! How exciting! 🤣 Lovely video! I have read 84, Charing Cross Road several times, but I'm not familiar with her other books and the titles are a bit obscure. This is so helpful.

[@MsTimmy1987]

This was such a fantastic video - thank you SO much for creating and sharing it with everyone!

[@seethevolcane-qj8ys]

Excellent vlog.

[@ornleifs]

I've only seen the movie " 84 Charing Cross Road" which I loved but your video certainly makes me want to read her books.

[@GabrielTheMagolorMain]

This is such a great video, thank you!

[@mariatavares8513]

Love, love Helene hanff. Just ordered q's legacy. Lived your review. 👍thank you

[@cherylstevens9665]

Great review of Helene Hanff. I have read a couple of her books and will look for more. Thanks

[@ReadwithStefani]

I’ve read and loved 84 Charring Cross Road, I’ll have to see if I can get my hands on any of the others 😀 Wonderful job on the video.

[@craigmoir8655]

Great reviews 👍

[@carolinefiller3745]

84 Charing Cross Road is an all time favourite, i reread it every year. I loved Q Legacy, I have never read Letters From New York but I just ordered it. Duchess is important to read if you want to know the full story but, I agree it isn't the best

[@Amy-nu1sm]

I have forgotten the name of the bookstore in or just outside Salt Lake City Utah rare and out of print. They had a reputation for finding whatever people wanted.

[@hannahmartha1]

Great video 💪🏽

[@zubaerchaudhari8267]

Hey

[@Grabfma040508]

Was Helene Hanff ever married?

[@nativevirginian8344]

no

[@mgb5170]

how can anyone who loves literature call her audience "guys" - dear oh dear.

[@abookolive]

Feeling judgemental today? 😂