84, Charing Cross Road

Helene Hanff’s entertaining record of twenty years of letters from her New York brownstone to a book shop in post-war London is brought to life in this wonderful production. The artful use of several narrators adds dimension to these informal letters written between 1949 and 1969 after Hanff discovers that the staff of Marks & Co. Booksellers will send her the reading she wants.

John Franklyn-Robbins portrays Frank Doel, a proper Englishman who sends Hanff’s first order. Barbara Rosenblat’s New York accent perfectly captures Hanff’s general crankiness and her milieu of ratty sweaters, baggy trousers and coffee cups in her messy apartment/writer’s studio on East 95th St. Through the letters the listener develops a warm affection for Hanff and the staff of Marks & Co. This is a superb production, which the listener doesn’t want to end. B.V. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine