TarrynJo, lover of literature and fellow blogger happily agreed to write a review on Jane Raphaely's autobiography, Jane Raphaely Unedited. Jane's story is devastatingly captivating to the least. I am so excited about this review! Thank you TarrynJo!
Jane Raphaely Unedited
She’s called the doyenne of magazine publishing in South Africa; a true icon to those in the business. A feminist, friend, mentor, mother, grandmother and wife... She is Jane Raphaely.
In her autobiography entitled, Jane Raphaely Unedited, Jane chronicles her life and her rise to the top of the magazine publishing world; all while raising a family and being a devoted wife. The book is written by Jane, who, at 75, is still chairman of Associated Magazines and Editor-in-Chief of O, the Oprah Magazine in South Africa. It details her climb up the corporate (and social) ladder and also contains many personal stories of trials and tribulations.
Each chapter seems to be a succinct little story that eventually builds to a whole to create an (almost) chronological telling of Jane’s life up till now. If anything, we are given the picture of a little girl born into nothing who fights against all the odds and constraints in her life to be a powerful force to be reckoned with in her industry. Jane lets nothing stop her from voicing her opinions, not even her magazine editions being banned countless times by the Apartheid government’s publications board or a man storming into her office with a gun in his briefcase.
I don’t only encourage people who idolise Jane to read her book, but anyone who wants to be inspired to achieve, who wants to see women succeed beyond the kitchen sink (not just feminists), and anyone who wants to learn more about the vast world of women’s magazines.
Not only is the book an easy read, it is one that often made me laugh out loud (to many an inquisitive stare). Jane’s ability to tell a story is indicative of her many years as editor of major magazines despite having no journalistic training. I often found myself having to read aloud to my family who were always eager for the next piece of “what did Jane do”.
A book that is completely “unputdownable” with genuine heart, that will make you laugh, cry and wish you were there on her Persian rug to listen to her tell you her-story herself.
xoxo
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| Jane and I at the Cape Town Book Fair |
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