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Apple Of My Eye - Helene Hanff

 

I picked up a copy of this book from 1982 second hand and I am so glad I did.

Loving Helene Hanff's voice in 84 Charing Cross Road I have been tracking down her other works and this one is a star if you are a fan of New York City.

Helene and her friend visit like tourists would, their home city of New York. Helene is researching the writing of a book for tourists, what they would see and where they could go. It's really like a history lesson as it's from 1982, and of course the Twin Towers are still standing. She takes us inside them and it was brilliant, as I never got to see them in real life. She also goes on the swiss tram that goes over to Roosevelt Island, which then, had only opened the week before! I have been on this and not a lot of people know about it, especially not NYC residents.

I ended up looking on Google maps at streets and sights she visits, to see if they still exist and in what form now. Obviously so much has changed and it felt a little like time travel to see it from Helene's viewpoint and see what it's become today. I learned a lot of new facts and found places I want to see when I can next visit New York City.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars.

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