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A Bookshop of One’s Own
- How a Group of Women Set Out to Change the World
- Narrated by: Jane Cholmeley
- Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
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A Bookshop of One’s Own
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Summary
The captivating true story of an underdog business – a feminist bookshop founded in Thatcher’s Britain – from a woman at the heart of the women’s liberation movement.
What was it like to start a feminist bookshop, in an industry dominated by men? How could a lesbian thrive in Thatcher’s time, with the government legislating to restrict her rights? How do you run a business when your real aim is to change the world?
Silver Moon was the dream of three women – a bookshop with the mission to promote the work of female writers and create a much-needed safe space for any woman. Founded in 1980s London against a backdrop of homophobia and misogyny, it was a testament to the power of community, growing into Europe’s biggest women’s bookshop and hosting a constellation of literary stars from Margaret Atwood and Maya Angelou to Angela Carter. While contending with day-to-day struggles common to other booksellers, plus the additional burdens of misogyny and the occasional hate crime, Jane Cholmeley and her booksellers created a thriving business. But they also played a crucial and relatively unsung part in one the biggest social movements of our time.
A Bookshop of One’s Own is a fascinating slice of social history from the heart of the women’s liberation movement, from a true feminist and lesbian icon. Written with heart and humour, it reveals the struggle and joy that comes with starting an underdog business, while being a celebration of the power women have to change the narrative when they are the ones holding the pen.
Critic reviews
'Funny and warm' Independent
‘Cholmeley is an energizing riot, full of humour and grit, and her story is well worth telling’ TLS
‘[Jane] has always taken a back seat, but I think it’s time that younger women knew what a part she played in making the feminist movement, and also the role of women in society in general, a talking point… I can’t go down the Charing Cross Road now without a little feeling of regret for where the bookshop used to be.’ Jacqueline Wilson
‘A vivid and wonderful evocation of the feminist bookshop on Charing Cross Road that was a home to so many of us. A story both of the shop itself and those inspiring women's liberation movement campaigning days of the 1980s, it's a slice of social history and a much-needed reminder of how women always have to fight for space – to get it, and to keep it. Bravo "Silver Moon", you are much missed.’ Kate Mosse
‘Silver Moon was the place where literature fed my life. Bookshops are always places of power; Silver Moon was a place of pilgrimage. I still dream of making my way there.’ Sandi Toksvig
'Essential reading, both for those of us who remember Silver Moon fondly and those who were barely born when it closed but whose lives were shaped by its being.' Manda Scott
'A gem of a book about a gem of a bookshop – this was my go-to for the best books!’ Lesley Thomson
'Tells the fascinating story of the legendary bookstore which became the epicentre of feminism in the UK for almost 20 years.' Cheryl Robson
'Delightful … conveys a real love of books, bookselling and the joys of shared-reading.' Rev'd Professor Alison Baverstock
'Treasured history from a pivotal era rises from every page of this vivid, marvelous recreation of a magic carpet of a women’s bookstore on legendary Charing Cross Road' Katherine Forrest
'What a treasure! … an important historical record' Lisa Alther
What listeners say about A Bookshop of One’s Own
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Binarydot
- 20-03-24
Fascinating, humorous, truthful and heartfelt
Compelling book on the triumphs and struggles of setting up, sustaining and then, sadly, of closing the Silver Moon Women’s Bookshop on London’s famous Charring Cross Road. For those too young to remember, it’s an alarming insight into a time of Margaret Thatcher, the GLC, Shirley Porter and the injustice of Section 28. For the young at heart, it’s an evocative reminder of card indexes, collective meetings and the highs and lows of working as part of the Sisterhood. Written and narrated by Silver Moon’s co-founder, it’s also a moving autobiography of lesbian self-discovery, sprinkled with plenty of humorous self-deprecation. Expect irresistible bookshop facts, plenty of costing figures and dozens of engaging stories involving the literary female great-and-good of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Thoroughly recommended.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- lydscl
- 14-04-24
4.5* rounded up - a wonderful memoir/archival history
The author narrates this really well and the personal touch of this being her story really adds to the book. It's a wonderful book of reflection and historical documentation of what it is to be a bookseller and part owner of a bookshop at its core. It's of course more than that, this is also a social history book, deeply and passionately feminist that reflects on the trials and tribulations of what it was/is to be a woman and a lesbian in UK society, especially during the 1980s and dealing with Thatcherism and conservatism. Many of the elements mentioned in the book aren't too far off what is being dealt with today by many groups so this particular narrative feels extremely timely and relevant.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- P M TURNER
- 20-03-24
Very well read by the author
Wonderful account of opening a business on a shoestring in a time of developing feminist awareness.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- miss l k howcroft
- 01-04-24
A piece of history shared
I learnt much from Jane's book and felt privilidged to have her narrate the story to life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Vanessa
- 02-07-24
A great behind the scenes insight.
The main reason I listened this was because it took me right back to those times having visited the shop back in the 80's, when I lived in London. A great snap shot of what it was like to be a Lesbian at that time I remember it well. Very brave women to make such a stance back then. Jane has rather a monotone voice, which some may not like, I did not mind, once I got used to it. I really enjoyed finding out about this iconic Feminist and Lesbian bookshop. Thank you for opening it in the first place and for telling its story.
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