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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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Summary
An Independent and Stylist Best Non-Fiction Book for 2024
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
‘[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
What listeners say about A Bookshop of One’s Own
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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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- 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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- 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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