Ridley Road (novel)

Ridley Road is a novel by British author Jo Bloom, published in 2014. The story is set in London's East End in 1962, focusing on the rise of neo-Nazism and the efforts of the 62 Group, an anti-fascist organization, to combat it.

The novel centers around Vivian Epstein, a young Jewish woman who leaves her comfortable life in Manchester to go to London in search of her missing boyfriend, Jack Fox. Her search leads her to Ridley Road, a vibrant and diverse street market that becomes a focal point for clashes between the far-right and anti-fascist groups.

As Vivian delves deeper into Jack's disappearance, she uncovers his involvement with the 62 Group. To find him and expose the burgeoning neo-Nazi movement, she goes undercover, infiltrating the National Socialist Movement, led by Colin Jordan. She adopts a false identity and navigates the dangerous world of post-war British fascism, risking her life to gather intelligence and disrupt their activities.

The narrative explores themes of identity, prejudice, courage, and the fight against extremism. It also depicts the social and political climate of early 1960s Britain, highlighting the experiences of the Jewish community and the challenges they faced in the wake of the Holocaust.

Ridley Road has been adapted into a four-part television drama of the same name, which aired on BBC One in 2021. The adaptation closely follows the plot of the novel, bringing the story to a wider audience.