On The Spellshop and Third Spaces

Jude Jose is a writer and literary artist based in Kerala, India. After completing his Master's in Literary Studies from the University of Exeter, Jude spent his time writing and performing his work in and around the city, including collaborating with Bookbag and Book-Cycle for The Fore Street Stories project. In this blog fo Bookgbag, Jude considers community and third spaces in life through The Spellshop, a fantasy book that is warm and rich with community.

On The Spellshop and Third Spaces

By Jude Jose

When the Crescent Islands Empire is overthrown by revolutionaries, Kiela – a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium – makes the difficult decision to flee with as many books she can save, along with her companion Caz. In the spur of the moment, she decides to sail back to Caltrey, the island where she had spent her childhood before her family migrated to the city. Now, back on Caltrey with no one except for Caz and her books, she must learn to survive and build a new life. More importantly, she needs to do all that without anyone learning that she is actually hoarding spell books. 

Sarah Durst’s The Spellshop sees Kiela opening a jam shop with the sole purpose of making ends meet for her and Caz. She views it more as a business venture and less as a chance to make friends. However, as she settles into the warmth and kindness of her fellow islanders, her heart begins to open up. The jam shop becomes a secret spell shop where Kiela and Caz come up with magical remedies to help the villagers. Over time, it slowly transforms into a space for the Caltreyans to come with their woes or just have a good time. For Kiela, it becomes a haven that makes her feel at home on Caltrey. 

Third spaces play a significant role in our lives. They have the power to transform one’s life from a blank canvas to a tapestry of beautiful memories, stitched together by love, camaraderie and shared experiences. We are made up of the people who cross paths with us; we come to embody their love, compassion, and solidarity. And when you have spaces that facilitate these shared experiences, the magic they bring forth is boundless. The kindness shown by the Caltreyans who come to the spell shop has a profound impact on Kiela; she goes out of her way to help the villagers by using the spell books, while also ensuring the shop is accessible to everyone. This eventually goes on to cause ripples throughout the entire island.  

Most third spaces – be it bookshops, museums or cafes – are run independently. They have no support or funding from mainstream institutions, mostly because of the values they stand for; they run these spaces in service of humanity, not for profit alone. They are conceptualised as places where people can relax and have a good time, while learning about various cultures and stories that would otherwise go unnoticed. For instance, an indie bookshop may stock books written by writers coming from marginalised groups that get no representation in mainstream institutions. Their stories invite people to reflect on the world around them. They also resonate with the people who share similar stories, making them feel seen and less alone. These bookshops may also host open mic nights and an array of events that foster a space for people to gather and make merry.  

This has a cascading effect, as these spaces slowly become playgrounds for people from all walks of life to come together, mingle, and form a community. They promote love, unity, and a sense of belonging. In a world governed by systems that thrive on people remaining angry, ignorant, and disunited, third spaces are a threat. They cast magic that brings happiness and knowledge to the general public, and these are things that are gatekept by the powerful and the wealthy. 

No wonder there are rules put in place by the Crescent Islands Empire that forbids the use of magic and the sharing of their knowledge outside the limits of elite, authorised institutions. When trouble reaches Caltrey, Kiela and her fellow islanders must figure out how to protect the spell shop and fight for what they believe in. 

The Spellshop feels like a cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day. Somewhere between the enchanted forests of Caltrey and the smell of freshly-baked bread and raspberry jam, you will find yourself comforted and full of hope once again. The book illustrates what it means to show up as a villager. It shows how vital third spaces are for our well being. It is a love letter to friendship, community, and jam (lots and lots of jam!). Moreover, if you miss the Enid Blyton magic of your childhood, this book is for you!