Q's Legacy by Helene Hanff, 177 pagesA - Zed Titles Challenge; Bibliophilic Challenge
Lovely little book for fans of Helene Hanff and her other books, 84, Charing Cross Road, and the Duchess of Bloomsbury. This book wouldn't mean much if you haven't read one or both of the other books, as Hanff chronicles, in her breezy, humorous style, her life before, during and after the writing of her two bookish books. (If you haven't read them, particularly 84, Charing Cross Road, get to it. I haven't met a person who didn't find it absolutely charming.) The Q referenced in the title is, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, a British professor and author of books Hanff read while trying to educate herself after dropping out of college during the Depression. He advised simplicity in writing and Hanff took it to heart. Her delightful writing is a testament to Q, a legacy in fact.
I've never read Quiller-Couch, but he sounds like my kind of guy. :) And of course I love Helene Hanff. Yay. It's autobiographical? She talks about her experiences with Quiller-Couch? Or is she writing more about him and his life?
ReplyDeleteIt's a memoir by Hanff. She never actually met Quiller-Couch. She bought his books of lectures and studied them on her own. It's mostly about Helene, and her struggles as a writer, and general life stuff. Very little about Q. Very much Helene.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound good! I haven't read any of her books though 84, Charing Cross Road is on my TBR (has-been for ages). I'll take your advice and get to it soon. :)
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