“The man of words, duly instructed, dips the pen of desire in the ink of devotedness and proceeds to spread it over the page of desolation. Then the nightingale of affection is heard to warble to the rose of loveliness, while the breeze of anxiety plays around the brow of expectation. This is….considered fine writing.” ~ Arthur Quiller Couch
Helen Hanff, is an uncelebrated script editor living in New York in 1949. She is a single woman whose love of her life now beholds her through the eyes of an image sitting on the living room mantle, as one of the casualties of war. Her passions are now fueled by obscure literature classics. On a particular afternoon, her attention is drawn to an ad in the Saturday Review of Literature placed by antiquarian booksellers Marks & Co. of London. Writing the bookseller’s manager Frank Doel, she sends the request for a number of classic books. And the simple task of writing of a letter became an act of delivering hope in an envelope.
Through their correspondence, a long distance friendship developed between Helene and Frank and over time, it also extended to the staff members of Marks & Co. and friends of Helene. The many letters, articulating diverse discussion on topics of cultural interest like Brooklyn Dodgers, Yorkshire Pudding, the coronation of Elizabeth II, John Donne sermons and essays by Arthur Quiller Couch, also begin to arrive accompanying an array of packages including food and gifts – particularly welcome in the wake of post WWII shortages. The cross continental relationship continued over a season of twenty years, bringing meaningful connection and relationship, to a painful time of loss and recovery, through the art of conversation in writing.
Charing Cross Road is a 1987 British/American film based on Helene Hanff’s real life letters between herself and Frank Doel. Starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins, the story lends itself to a variety of discussion lenses, including, cultural, sociological, spiritual and personal. And don’t be surprised as a viewer, if after watching the movie, you find yourself spending an afternoon in a nearby antiquary bookshop, shopping on line for a copy of John Donne’s sermons in a binding with full-gilt edges and gold leafing or perhaps taking the evening to write a long letter to someone living far away, you haven’t seen for a while, but care about deeply.
facets for life: Reading: Hearing the language of the soul through the voice of ink. ~The Conversant Counselor
For the Support of Your Life
Forthe Many Sides of Life
Paulette Jackson MA
facets@bellsouth.net
The thoughts and opinions expressed in The Conversant Counselor’s Blog are those belonging to Paulette Jackson MA and do not necessarily reflect those of any other professional or individual.
The image above is found at: www.bellasbookshelves.com/?p=4581
