I struggled to engage with this book. There wasn't enough about the family and to much on the political situation of the day. I could tell the author was trying to weave them together by telling how her family was treated and perceived but it lacked warmth for me. I wanted to like it but it felt a bit of a chore.

Really interesting stuff, not a topic I’d given much thought but hasn’t a corner shop saved the day for everyone at some point?
Lovely and warm, personal account of life in the corner shop.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

The Corner Shop offers a succinct and insightful look into the world of shopkeeping and the ups and downs of a family once invested in the decidedly British institution.

Definitely an interesting read and not a topic I’ve read about in detail before. I particularly enjoyed how Babita Sharma wove her personal anecdotes in with the general history of corner shops. Critically, I did find the writing style a bit too journalistic at times (I appreciate Sharma is a journalist), but some parts felt rushed and others repetitive.

Overall, a worthy read and very timely. A fantastic example of a positive immigration story - one of determination, hard work and a willingness to take a chance.

The Corner Shop by Babita Sharma, published by John Murray, tries to tell two stories. One is the history of the Sharma family: how Babita’s parents came to Britain from India in the ‘60s; how they ran three shops; and what life was like for Babita, growing up above the shop. The other story is more generic: that of corner shops, transitioning from their pivotal role in selling rationed food during the war and immediately afterwards, through ownership by various ethnic groups from the 1960s to the present decade.

Babita draws parallels between Margaret Thatcher, growing up above a grocer’s shop in Grantham, and her childhood above various shops in Caversham. This seems to be mainly so she can suggest that Maggie betrayed her origins when she changed the trading laws. However, Thatcher resigned in 1990, four years before the Sunday Trading Act of 1994. It seems a little unfair to blame her for legislation passed four years after she was Prime Minister.

I really liked the perceptive comments about the role of corner shops during the last seventy years. Initially, people would shop daily because most families didn’t have a fridge or a freezer. The commoditization of those products had a huge impact upon people’s shopping habits and, therefore, upon the shops they used. Other factors such as increasing car ownership and Green Shield stamps (yes, I remember saving them!) influenced where people shopped.

Babita weaves her personal story with the generic one of the corner shop and both are of interest, but I think conflating them diminishes both. Babita’s bitterness about the racist oppression faced by Indian and East African Asian shopkeepers dominates the narrative. She admits that her family received relatively little direct abuse. Her father, fortunately, had a narrow escape from a beating; one of Babita’s friends once used the phrase “Paki shop” about another shop in the area; someone tied milk bottles to their door handle several times; and Babita’s mother and uncle once had someone shout “Hello, Paki” at them. Whilst I wouldn’t deny that such behaviour is odious and obviously angers Babita, I would have enjoyed reading more about the history of corner shops. Equally, a book about what it’s like to be a victim of racialism would have an audience.

#TheCornerShop #NetGalley

An inspiring story about a family dealing with life in Britain, running a shop and working hard. A touching story of their lives told with humour and genuine emotion. Another tale of immigration into Britain that needs to be shared in schools and libraries to educate, inspire and teach people what Britain is truly made of.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Lovely true experience of a family and how they had to survive with immigration and their everyday life. I lived above a shop and loved how true it is you get to know all about different people and their quirky lifestyle

Charming warm wonderful the story ,Babita Sharmas has written about here family,The Corner shop that owned is a book that drew me in to their world .Immigrants making their way in England working hard in their little world..A family that worked together in their little shop the shop they lived above,Happy hardworking people.The author shares moments from their lives their daily schedule the end of the day mopping scene was hilarious.Highly recommend ,