The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street

The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street is none other than Helene Hanff. She adopted this title on her visit to London for the publication of her last book, '84 Charing Cross Road', because the whirl of new friends, messages-at-the-desk, parties and outings made her feel like a Duchess. Readers of her first book will remember that she had fallen in love with a London bookshop and corresponded with its manager and staff for over twenty years, her longing to visit London growing stronger with every letter. Now at last her dream had come true, and her delight was mixed with dread at the prospect of arriving in an unknown city full of strangers. She was greeted by a Colonel whom she had never met, followed by roses, champagne, phone calls and letters, and from then on she enjoyed every minute, even her adventures with the capricious shower in her hotel room. As she recounts her experiences, the English reader begins to glow with a distinctly smug rosiness, because rarely has he seen himself and his city reflected in eyes so bright with interest, amusement and pleasure. Each time Helene Hanff wrote a postcard to friends back home, she confides, she was tempted to use 'Euphoria' as a return address: and the warmth and spontaneity which inspired this idea will make her so many new friends that on her next visit she will probably promote herself to Queen.