"If you happen to be passing through 84 Chaling Cross Street, please give me a kiss on my behalf, I owe her a lot..."
Hello everyone, this is Spring Flame Academy, and the book I share with you today is "84 Charing Cross Street" by American writer Helen Hanf.
Known as the "Bible of Book Lovers", the address no longer operates a bookstore, but only a bronze plaque hanging next to the door that reads: "84 Charing Cross Street, the former site of the Max & Cohen Bookstore, famous for Helen Hanf's books."
The book tells us a warm story in the form of letters spanning 20 years from New York to London.
The protagonist, Helene Humph, who claims to be a poor writer with an "ancient" appetite for books, stumbles upon an advertisement for "exclusive out-of-print books" by an old bookseller in London called Max & Cohen's Bookstore, which is addressed at 84 Charing Cross Street.
Cherishing books and being critical of her taste, she sent a letter directly to the past, juxtaposing the book list and the price of the expected transaction. It was October 5, 1949.
The other party did not feel perfunctory because her pickiness and confusion were not clear, but each reply was polite and thoughtful.
Over time, in the midst of a series of sincere and interesting letters, Helen developed a deep friendship with the people of the "Marx and Cohen Bookstore", especially Frank Del, who had been responsible for helping her find books and reply to letters.
Her letters are always so frank and lovely, when she receives the book of her choice, she will not hesitate to express her joy and gratitude, she will occasionally complain that Frank is "lazy", that he is too slow to find books, and if he sends herself a version of the book he does not like, she can be heard chattering in the reply.
She is so kind that she can always make people smile between the lines.
At that time, Britain was in ruins, because the shortage of materials could only achieve rationing.
No one could have imagined that such an unmet and financially disadvantaged guest would have generously sent food and supplies several times when he learned that Frank had "been rationed two ounces of meat per household per week, and each person received only one egg per month."
Her kindness touched everyone.
It was also at that time that everyone in the Max & Cohen Bookstore, even Frank's wife, began to send letters to Helen and send gifts and blessings, and Frank worked harder to collect good books for her.
In the spring and autumn, Helene's friendship with Frank and others grew thicker and thicker like the books on her desk, and they gradually greeted and cared for each other like old friends. Frank and she have established a unique tacit understanding in the exchange of books.
Helen said to him, "Frankie, you are the only one in this world who knows me." ”
Unfortunately, every time Helen wanted to visit her old friends in London, she was delayed for various reasons.
"My precious dentist gave me a month's leave, but he went on vacation with his wife and joy, and the travel expenses were paid by me!" Helen was aggrieved in the letter.
She had managed to save enough money to travel to London because she had spent all the money on visiting the dentist.
Unconsciously, the years have suddenly passed.
"Yes, we are all still alive as ever – older and busier, but our pockets are not doubly full." In the face of Helen's greeting, Frank replied.
At that time they had been communicating with each other for seventeen years.
With the exception of Frank, most of the others in the bookstore either left, died, or lost news. And Helen's wish to go to London became more and more distant.
They are so close in their letters, but in reality they are separated by thousands of mountains and rivers.
Unfortunately, max and Cohen Bookstore did not wait for Helen's arrival in the end.
On October 16, 1968, Frank wrote at the end of his last letter to Helen: "Miss you."
On January 8, 1968, it was supposed to be the same early morning as usual, and when Helen opened the letter from max and Cohen's bookstore with great anticipation, the name of the person who dropped the money was no longer Frank.
"Dear Miss, I hereby report with great regret to you that Monsieur Del passed away last Sunday (December 22). The funeral was held last Wednesday (January 1st)."
Since then, there has not been a letter from the "Marx and Cohen Bookstore" that has made Helen so concerned, and the Mr. Frank, who has always been ridiculed by her as "polite", has never waited for Miss Helen, whom he regards as a confidant.
A few months later, when Helen wrote to her friend who was visiting London, she wrote the opening paragraph with tears in her eyes: "The kind man who sold me these good books died a few months ago, and the bookstore owner, Mr. Max, is no longer alive." But the bookstore is still there, and if you happen to pass by 84 Charing Cross Street, please give me a kiss on my behalf, I owe her a lot..."
In the film adaptation of the novel of the same name, Helen finally set foot on the land that haunted her many years later. It's just that the deceased is long gone, and even the bookstore has been closed due to the successive deaths of the operator.
Helen stood where Frank had stood, imagining the appearance of her old friends, her eyes full of affection, and her heart was only nostalgic.
We have all had regrets, places we haven't been, people who haven't met, words that haven't been spoken yet...
Life may be like this, it is not so perfect, and time is rushing to wait for no one. Many things are missed, and a turn is a lifetime.
However, when we look at other people's stories, in addition to sighing, we have to admit that those regrets, those who are too late to achieve this classic. If Helen had come to London early, met her old friends, and met Frank, 84 Charing Cross Street would not have been so moving because she had been concerned about her whole life.
Some stories are more cherished because of their shortcomings.
Therefore, it is not necessary to ask for a result. Some things, some people, are enough to expect.