Chief buyer at Marks & Co. and Helene Hanff’s main correspondent, known for his courteous and restrained communication. His role in sourcing books and his evolving friendship with Hanff are central to the correspondence.

A staff member at Marks & Co. who adds warmth and humor to the letters with her occasional notes to Hanff. She is among the first to reveal personal glimpses of Frank Doel.

Frank Doel’s elderly neighbor whose hand-embroidered gift to Hanff signifies the broader connection formed through the letters. Her correspondence reflects the extended community of the bookshop.

Frank Doel’s second wife, who enters the correspondence with expressions of gratitude and family updates. Her letters provide insights into the Doel family dynamics.

Frank Doel’s eldest daughter from his first marriage, she is mentioned in family updates and writes the epilogue granting permission to publish the correspondence.

Frank and Nora’s daughter, whose growth over the years is a background element in the correspondence, marking the passage of time within the letters.