Ridley Road

• Book: Ridley Road
• Location: London
• Author: Jo Bloom

Review Author: Anne Cater

I am a huge fan of fiction set in the 1960s, especially stories that are set in London. The 1960s are my favourite era, I love the fashion and the music and the huge changes that took place during that decade, especially for women.

Jo Bloom has captured the sense of the 60s so well in Ridley Road. Vivien, the lead character has recently moved to London from Manchester. She’s left behind tragedy and sadness and is determined that from now on, things are going to get better for her. She has another reason for moving to London too, she wants to find Jack, the guy who stole her heart and left without a word to say where he was going. Armed with an old address and memories of Jack’s handsome face, she starts her new life.

It’s not long before Vivien has found herself a job in a salon in Soho, working alongside a group of friendly, fun-loving girls, overseen by caring and wise Barb. Vivien throws herself into the nightlife and excitement of swinging London. Nightclubs, dancing, meeting actors and musicians and it’s not long before she has caught the eye of a local likely lad.

Vivien can’t forget Jack, and is thrilled when she spots him one afternoon. Thrilled until she realises just what Jack is doing, what he is part of. For although 60s London is free and easy and a great place for a young woman to live, there are undertones of violence and hatred. The fascist movement is growing stronger and Vivien is part of the Jewish community who are a target of the fascist extremist activities.

I have to admit that I knew almost nothing about the rise of British fascism during this time, and the Jewish community’s fight to overcome it. It’s a subject that seems to have been swept under the carpet and I was shocked to read of some of the terrible things done just twenty years after the end of World War II. Jo Bloom has researched this subject very well, and some of the events make for difficult and upsetting reading, yet there is a realism and authenticity about her writing that leaves me in no doubt that these things happened.

The contrast between the innocence of Vivien and the hatred and evil of the fascists, combined with the strength of feeling and bravery of those who fought against it is startling and makes for compelling, and enlightening reading.

Ridley Road contains an important story, very well told by an excellent author who writes so well. Her characters are rounded and well developed, the sense of place and era are very real and the plot is full of surprising and shocking twists and turns. A great novel, I enjoyed this one very much.

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