I began this book several weeks before our London vacation. I was intrigued after reading the book's subheading, "A Tour of the World's Greatest Fictional City". For those who know me, my love for British fiction, alongwith TV/motion picture productions based on British fiction, is not a secret. While I enjoy modern British fiction and productions, "period peices" enthrall me as I relish losing myself in time and place. The place is London- graced with its elegant historical buildiings, lush gardens and upper society's glamour, while the time periods typically include the Victorian and Geogian eras.
While I have read several of Anna Quindlan's novels and found them to be pleasant reads, I knew I encountered a kindred spirit when I read one of the lines in "Imagined London": "...the places I most feel at home are bookstores and libraries. And London." I definitely agree with feeling very much at home, surrounded by books in libraries and bookstores. While I visited London briefly as a teenager, seeing all the chief tourist sights, I do not recall feeling at home in London; however, since then my anglophile passions have multiplied and I antiicipate feeling at home in London during our upcoming trip.
Anna Quindlan's account of London persuaded that the possiblity of feeling home in London is very likely.
"For a person raised on books (such as I), walking through streets in her mind's eyes, engaged in love affairs and life losses of imaginary men and women, London is indisputably the capital of literature, of great literature and romance novels and mystery novels, too." While I am not a fan of Charles Dickens, London's most revered literary export (I find his novels dark and depressing, focusing on human nature's sinister elements), I revere many other British authors and have savoured countless PBS "Masterpiece Theater" productions, whose characters' lives have unfolded in London.
Anna Quindlan describes a London where modern-day vibrancy meets historical tranquility and charm. She compares London with her hometown New York, another world-renowned city that artfully blends the past with the present. " It is as though four different landscapes, histories, ways of living, can be encapulated in a walk aroun the corner...one moment, the throng and the lowering office building. The next, quiet isolation, and the window eyes of a mews house. London has nearly as many residents as New York has, yet even its most central locations never feel overwhelming in the way much of Manhattan does, mainly because of this effect, the ability to step within minutes from tumult into peace. "
Anna Quinlan highlights well-known and relatively obscure places to visit in London. From verdant parks, revealing that "A third of London is grass or gardens",shopping districts: " Up on Piccadilly, the shopping arcades are as Victorian as anyone could want...The one between Albermarle and Bond Streets is particularly atmospheric, with its enormous bay windows and gilded signs. Queen Victoria bought her riding hapbbits ino one of the shops and feels as if the servant sent on the task had only lately left." and historical monuments such as the Albert Memorial, heightening my anticipation to reaquaint myself with London. While we may not have the opportunity or the inclination to visit all the places she visited, I hope to share her captivation and delight for London.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff
On June 17, 1971, almost twenty two years after Helene Hanff began corresponding with Frank Doel from Marks & Co, Booksellers, she finally embarks on her long-awaited trip to London. She will be attending a book signing of her bestseller, 84, Charing Cross Road, which documents her twenty year correspondance with Frank Doel.
Her journey is bittewsweet. While she is eager to explore London and greet her British fans, she reognizes that void of two major driving forces in her desire to visit London. One is the absence of Frank Doel, who passed away in 1969 (a letter from Frank's wife, Nora, imforming Helene of Frank's passing is one of the last letters included in 84, Charing Cross Road) and the other is Marks & Co., Booksellers closure. It does leave regret, like we have all felt, that we did not seize an opportunty sooner to visit loved ones or friends abroad.
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street is in journal format, entries from Helene Hanff journals during her visit to London. It includes encounters with old and new friends, alongwith impressions on places visited. I was slightly disappointed since I was hoping the emphasis would be more on the latter. Rather she focued more upon her encounters with friends including Frank Doel's wife Nora and daughter, Sheila, a amiable fan Colonel, and friend of a friend, "P.B". While P.B. comes across to me as slightly odd, for example are too-the-point, lacking any warmth is his requests to set up future meetings and are always uniquely signed, "In Haste". Despite these idiosyncrasies, I get the impression that Helene developed a minor crush on P.B. by the end of her trip although she doesn't outwardly confess her feelings in her journal.
Some of the sites visited during her visit to London include: St Paul's Cathedral, Charidge's restaurant (featured in Noel Coward plays, a reference I wasn't aware of), Royal Chapel at Malborough, St. Jame's Park, Westminister Abbey, the Knights Templar, Buckingham Palace, Harrod's department store and of course, bookstores on Charing Cross Road. Day trips included visits to Oxford, Trinity College and Stratford-upon-Avon. She doesn't include extensive details about each attraction and her impressions are typically limited to a few paragraphs; however, a few descriptions sparked my interest in visiting select areas. One in particular was the idyllic, charming Calton Gardens, which she describes as "beautiful street of very plush apartment homes" and a nearby unmarked street, "a kind of enclosed courtyard, a cul-de-sac behind Clarence House and St. Jame's Palace" where "there is no reek of money here, only the hallowed hush of privlege" causing her mind to fill "with stories of fairy-tale splendor of monarchy". I don't kow if the homes still stand today and the street still retains this charm, but I do want at least attempt to discover street. This is the London I dream of seeing during our visit.
Her journey is bittewsweet. While she is eager to explore London and greet her British fans, she reognizes that void of two major driving forces in her desire to visit London. One is the absence of Frank Doel, who passed away in 1969 (a letter from Frank's wife, Nora, imforming Helene of Frank's passing is one of the last letters included in 84, Charing Cross Road) and the other is Marks & Co., Booksellers closure. It does leave regret, like we have all felt, that we did not seize an opportunty sooner to visit loved ones or friends abroad.
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street is in journal format, entries from Helene Hanff journals during her visit to London. It includes encounters with old and new friends, alongwith impressions on places visited. I was slightly disappointed since I was hoping the emphasis would be more on the latter. Rather she focued more upon her encounters with friends including Frank Doel's wife Nora and daughter, Sheila, a amiable fan Colonel, and friend of a friend, "P.B". While P.B. comes across to me as slightly odd, for example are too-the-point, lacking any warmth is his requests to set up future meetings and are always uniquely signed, "In Haste". Despite these idiosyncrasies, I get the impression that Helene developed a minor crush on P.B. by the end of her trip although she doesn't outwardly confess her feelings in her journal.
Some of the sites visited during her visit to London include: St Paul's Cathedral, Charidge's restaurant (featured in Noel Coward plays, a reference I wasn't aware of), Royal Chapel at Malborough, St. Jame's Park, Westminister Abbey, the Knights Templar, Buckingham Palace, Harrod's department store and of course, bookstores on Charing Cross Road. Day trips included visits to Oxford, Trinity College and Stratford-upon-Avon. She doesn't include extensive details about each attraction and her impressions are typically limited to a few paragraphs; however, a few descriptions sparked my interest in visiting select areas. One in particular was the idyllic, charming Calton Gardens, which she describes as "beautiful street of very plush apartment homes" and a nearby unmarked street, "a kind of enclosed courtyard, a cul-de-sac behind Clarence House and St. Jame's Palace" where "there is no reek of money here, only the hallowed hush of privlege" causing her mind to fill "with stories of fairy-tale splendor of monarchy". I don't kow if the homes still stand today and the street still retains this charm, but I do want at least attempt to discover street. This is the London I dream of seeing during our visit.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
84, Charring Cross Road by Helene Hanff
I first heard of "84, Charring Cross Road" in the 1990s, after learning about the release of its namesake movie, starring Anthony Hopkins. At the time, I neither saw the movie nor read the novel despite its idyllic setting, a London bookstore. As we are about to embark upon our London vacation, I decided to finally read the novel. Unfortunately, Marks & Co, Booksellers' no longer exists, but Charring Road still remains an area renowned for its bookstores.
I had mixed feelings about the book. I was not surprised about its format, letters spanning a twenty year correspondance between an American writer and a London bookstore clerk. However, I was surprised at the early letters' mundane quality. Obviously, personal details would not be shared early on in the correspondence but after a few years I thought the letters would include more than book prices and account balances. Later, as both characters (alongwith some secondary characters- other Marks & Co, Booksellers' store clerks) included a few personal details I began to see the books charm. Hanff's store loyalty, especially to a store across the Atlantic, was noteworthy especially when contrasted with today's fickle consumerism. The fact that she would send food gift packages, much to the store clerks delights during London's post-war rations, was also charming.
Their relationship remained relatively formal, especially from the side of Frank Doel which may be attributed to his marital status and British demeanor. However, I recognized subtle clues indicating a plutonic fondness for one another. Consequently, I was saddened upon Frank's death, before Helene could make her long-promised and anticipated journey to London to visit him and the bookstore.
I had mixed feelings about the book. I was not surprised about its format, letters spanning a twenty year correspondance between an American writer and a London bookstore clerk. However, I was surprised at the early letters' mundane quality. Obviously, personal details would not be shared early on in the correspondence but after a few years I thought the letters would include more than book prices and account balances. Later, as both characters (alongwith some secondary characters- other Marks & Co, Booksellers' store clerks) included a few personal details I began to see the books charm. Hanff's store loyalty, especially to a store across the Atlantic, was noteworthy especially when contrasted with today's fickle consumerism. The fact that she would send food gift packages, much to the store clerks delights during London's post-war rations, was also charming.
Their relationship remained relatively formal, especially from the side of Frank Doel which may be attributed to his marital status and British demeanor. However, I recognized subtle clues indicating a plutonic fondness for one another. Consequently, I was saddened upon Frank's death, before Helene could make her long-promised and anticipated journey to London to visit him and the bookstore.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Beloved by readers worldwide and winner of the prestigious Anthony Award for Best Book of the Century, Rebecca is a timeless novel that captivates readers as early as its infamous first line "Last night I dreamt I was at Manderly". This is followed by a beautifully detailed, yet foreboding description of Manderly, home to the main characters Maxim De Winter and his new young bride, the story's narrator. Manderly comes alive and takes on the role as one of the novel's main character who influences the thoughts, emotions and actions of the other principal characters.
The story begins in Monaco, where the narrator is on vacation with her employer, a self-involved American aristrocrat Mrs Van Hopper. Through Mrs Van Hopper's social climbing proclivity, the narrativor becomes acquainted with the infamous widower Maxim de Winter. Within a surprisingly short amount of time, Mr. de Winter proposes to the narrator whose youthful love and desire to begin a new life influences her acceptance.
After a romantic honeymoon in Italy, the couple arrive at the legendary Manderly. Although the narrator romantasized Manderly for a long time--as a child she treasured her picture postcard of Manderly--she soon realizes everything is not as it seems. The house and its sinister housekeeper, Mrs Danvers, keeps the memory of Mr de Winter's first wife, Rebecca, alive and creates insecurities in the narrator. Mind games lead her to believe she will never measure up to Rebecca and she begins to doubt Maxim's love for her.
The cause of Rebecca's death remains a mystery for three-fourths of the book. Daphne du Maurier magnficently creates suspense with her use of foreshadowing and her artful placement of clues. Upon discovering Rebecca's murderer, readers also learn of Rebecca's true nature. As Rebecca quickly falls from the narrator's self-created pedastal, the narrator regains her confidence and faith in her marriage.
I immensely enjoyed Rebecca. The rich details, character evolutions and building suspense made it one of my all-time favorite novels. While the narrator's name is never revealed, her hopes, insecurites and evolving maturity is opaque throughout the novel, making me feel like her confidante as I knew her better than most main characters. The novel can not be slotted into one genre- it has elements of a mystery, romance and psychological drama. Of couse, the European setting is an added bonus.
We recently saw the "Masterpiece Theatre" production of Rebecca. Although I enjoyed it, as I do most well-made Masterpiece Theatre productions, I was disappointed with the important deviation from the novel. It failed to capture the second Mrs de Winter's insecurities regarding her husband's love since he was characterized as a doting husband throughout the novel. This diminished the production's buiding suspense and pschychological tension. As in many cases, the novel was better than the theatrical version. However, in all fairness, it would be a difficult feat for even the most superior production company to capture the power of this timeless, masterpiece novel.
The story begins in Monaco, where the narrator is on vacation with her employer, a self-involved American aristrocrat Mrs Van Hopper. Through Mrs Van Hopper's social climbing proclivity, the narrativor becomes acquainted with the infamous widower Maxim de Winter. Within a surprisingly short amount of time, Mr. de Winter proposes to the narrator whose youthful love and desire to begin a new life influences her acceptance.
After a romantic honeymoon in Italy, the couple arrive at the legendary Manderly. Although the narrator romantasized Manderly for a long time--as a child she treasured her picture postcard of Manderly--she soon realizes everything is not as it seems. The house and its sinister housekeeper, Mrs Danvers, keeps the memory of Mr de Winter's first wife, Rebecca, alive and creates insecurities in the narrator. Mind games lead her to believe she will never measure up to Rebecca and she begins to doubt Maxim's love for her.
The cause of Rebecca's death remains a mystery for three-fourths of the book. Daphne du Maurier magnficently creates suspense with her use of foreshadowing and her artful placement of clues. Upon discovering Rebecca's murderer, readers also learn of Rebecca's true nature. As Rebecca quickly falls from the narrator's self-created pedastal, the narrator regains her confidence and faith in her marriage.
I immensely enjoyed Rebecca. The rich details, character evolutions and building suspense made it one of my all-time favorite novels. While the narrator's name is never revealed, her hopes, insecurites and evolving maturity is opaque throughout the novel, making me feel like her confidante as I knew her better than most main characters. The novel can not be slotted into one genre- it has elements of a mystery, romance and psychological drama. Of couse, the European setting is an added bonus.
We recently saw the "Masterpiece Theatre" production of Rebecca. Although I enjoyed it, as I do most well-made Masterpiece Theatre productions, I was disappointed with the important deviation from the novel. It failed to capture the second Mrs de Winter's insecurities regarding her husband's love since he was characterized as a doting husband throughout the novel. This diminished the production's buiding suspense and pschychological tension. As in many cases, the novel was better than the theatrical version. However, in all fairness, it would be a difficult feat for even the most superior production company to capture the power of this timeless, masterpiece novel.
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