I loved The Correspondent, and when the author, Virginia Evans, did a segment on It's Friday And If You Haven't Read This It Is New To You and recommended this. Like her book, this an epistolatory novel, and she was surprised to learn that it is a memoir rather than a work of fiction.
The author writes to the London bookstore at the address in the title in 1949 looking for obscure, out-of-print classic English books she cannot find in New York. The author is quintessentially American-- informal, frank, and humorous which is a contrast to the bookseller's more formal and properly British responses. The heartwarming part of the correspondence that that Helene is concerned about the scarcity of meat and eggs in post-WWII England and she sends care packages to the store through a relief organization at Christmas and Easter. Frank Doel, Helene's main contact at Marks and Company, shares them equally with the bookstore staff. These acts of kindness are deeply appreciated at a time when there is not another way to get these treats, and they write to tell Helene how much this has changed their holidays, how they have shared them with neighbors and family members, that her thoughtfulness has made a meaningful difference to them all.
This is also a celebration of second-hand books, fine leather bindings, clear type, and the sheer tactile joy of reading. Helene is not a reader of best sellers, and what she is looking for is quite particular, and she doesn't want to spend the earth on her books either--Frank is able to find quality affordable books that make her very happy and for me the fact that these books find a good new home where they are appreciated.
This is a window into a time and a place that is really quite lovely.
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