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A review by elementarymydear
A Bookshop of One's Own: How a Group of Women Set Out to Change the World by Jane Cholmeley
5.0
What a delightful read!
I’ll admit, I had never heard of the Silver Moon bookshop before this book. In my defence, I was 5 years old when it closed! But it is clear from this book how much of an impact it had on feminism, LGBTQ rights, and the book industry at large.
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Jane Cholmeley vividly recreates the highs and lows of Silver Moon, and I really appreciated how she acknowledged the struggles and difficulties alongside the achievements and celebrations, especially when that included reflecting on her own shortcomings. She proves that even when you make mistakes or come up against immense challenges it is possible to overcome them and succeed.
One thing that really struck me in this book was how feminism butted heads with capitalism. A lot of radical second-wave feminism was very anti-capitalist, and I found it fascinating to read about how Jane and her colleagues balanced their different ideals with the reality of running a business in a capitalist society. I think it’s useful reading for any of us who move in progressive spaces.
I really got a sense for what life was like for queer women at that time, the struggles under Thatcherism balanced with the excitement of a new endeavour and a burgeoning feminism movement. More importantly, it made me even more grateful for Jane and the other women like her. It is thanks to their efforts that I have the rights that I do today, and it’s a timely reminder not to take them for granted.
Above all, I got a real sense of the community that Silver Moon fostered, and while I am sad that I will never be able to visit in person, I’m glad that for a few hours I was able to be transported there through this book.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
I’ll admit, I had never heard of the Silver Moon bookshop before this book. In my defence, I was 5 years old when it closed! But it is clear from this book how much of an impact it had on feminism, LGBTQ rights, and the book industry at large.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
Jane Cholmeley vividly recreates the highs and lows of Silver Moon, and I really appreciated how she acknowledged the struggles and difficulties alongside the achievements and celebrations, especially when that included reflecting on her own shortcomings. She proves that even when you make mistakes or come up against immense challenges it is possible to overcome them and succeed.
One thing that really struck me in this book was how feminism butted heads with capitalism. A lot of radical second-wave feminism was very anti-capitalist, and I found it fascinating to read about how Jane and her colleagues balanced their different ideals with the reality of running a business in a capitalist society. I think it’s useful reading for any of us who move in progressive spaces.
I really got a sense for what life was like for queer women at that time, the struggles under Thatcherism balanced with the excitement of a new endeavour and a burgeoning feminism movement. More importantly, it made me even more grateful for Jane and the other women like her. It is thanks to their efforts that I have the rights that I do today, and it’s a timely reminder not to take them for granted.
Above all, I got a real sense of the community that Silver Moon fostered, and while I am sad that I will never be able to visit in person, I’m glad that for a few hours I was able to be transported there through this book.
I received a free copy for an honest review.