Pip Williams fashions beautiful prose and unforgettable characters in The Bookbinder, much as she did in her earlier bestseller, The Dictionary of Lost Words. There are a few references to the previous book, but those who haven't read it will not have a problem understanding this one.

The story revolves around 21-year-old twins Peggy and Maude, both of whom work binding and sewing books at the Clarendon Press in Oxford and who live nearby in a narrowboat. Peggy would rather be reading the books and studying at a nearby college, so she often brings home damaged pieces of books she has been working on. But upon the death of her mother, she took on more responsibility for looking after Maude, who is "different" (per the Acknowledgments, she is on the autism spectrum and suffers from echolalia, a compulsion to repeat parts of others' sentences). When World War I turns part of the college into a hospital for injured soldiers, Peggy volunteers to help read and write letters to the patients, and it is there that she meets a young Belgian man, part of whose face has been disfigured, who will play an important role in her life. In the meantime, one of the women fleeing from the conflict in Belgium joins them at the bindery and takes a personal interest in Maude. An outspoken friend of the family, Tilde, works as a nurse in war-torn France and sends the sisters letters with her perspective of the war.

Normally I shy away from war stories, but I'm glad I read this one. Although parts of it are gut-wrenching, the lives of these women, their struggle for rights that the men already have, Peggy's courage to pursue her dreams while torn by her familial responsibilities, all made this a memorable experience for me.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC*

I loved William's first novel, "The Dictionary of Lost Words", so I was a bit disappointed with this novel.

The ending was somewhat satisfying, but it was anticlimactic.

A couple big themes in the novel are classism, PTSD/trauma, and how stories can be distorted by those who write/control the narrative. Peggy has some seemingly impactful conversations about these themes but there isn't any kind of closure and she doesn't really do anything to resolve these issues. I expected a bigger and more impactful resolution for how big these themes are. I admire that Peggy ended up where she ended up, but it left me wanting more from the plot.

It could be because I'm comparing this novel to Williams' other one. It's hard not to when this is happening at the same time and there are recurring characters. The MC in the other novel saw an injustice and did something about it. Peggy didn't really do anything other than accomplish a personal achievement.

I'm 50/50 on the love story. There were moments that I enjoyed and moments that I thought were meh.

Overall, it was an OK novel. I enjoyed reading about this time period and getting to know the characters. But if I had to pick one of Williams' novels to read, I'd stick with "The Dictionary of Lost Words"

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've had The Dictionary of Lost Words on my TBR list since it was published, but I've never gotten around to reading it. Now that I've read The Bookbinder, I'm moving it straight to the top of my list and putting it on hold at my local library.

What a beautiful novel. It's quiet and moves a little slowly, but I was so immersed in this world of books and war and relationships that I didn't mind at all. Obviously well-researched and then written in a way that makes that research look effortless -- what a feat to pull off!

The Bookbinder is a story about sisters and the people who surround them during World War 1 in England. I really enjoyed this story, it is a comforting and interesting story about these people navigating a turbulent time that also addresses books and knowledge and who gets access to these. I will definitely be seeking out this author's other book as I loved the way that this story was told.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing early access to this ebook, I enjoyed reading it very much.

4.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful book. I did not read her first book and it is not necessary to read this one. It is very character driven and not fast paced but so so good. I loved all of the book details and what it was like to print and bind a book in the early part of the 20th century. The backdrop of World War 1 is very engaging and compelling as well.

Really great book about relationships, classes, genders, and perseverance . I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

I received an ARC of this book from goodreads for my honest review.

Thanks so much for the review copy. I’m glad I gave this author another chance. I plan to go back and finish The Dictionary of Lost Words. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Brilliant, ambitious Peggy takes care of her twin sister Maude, who is a bit slow. In modern days, she would probably be diagnosed with autism. The twins work in a bindery, folding, gathering, and sewing books. Peggy collects the remnants, torn pieces, and scraps of books. As the men leave for the war, refugees arrive from war town Belgium. Peggy slowly allows herself to dream, envisioning herself at the nearby university studying.

I was amazed by the character development throughout the book. The characters really changed and grew with the war. I was particularly touched by Peggy and Maude's relationship, and the care they took for one another. The plot revolved around day-to-day matters, but moved quickly. I would love to read more from this author. 5 out of 5 stars.

This was such a satisfying and interesting book, full of lovely characters, with lots of fascinating historical information. I loved the author’s Dictionary of Lost Words, but this was even a step beyond.

This is a look at everyday women during WWI, in particular, twins who work as bookbinders. It’s about the desire for knowledge, disabilities, suffrage, war, poverty, the Spanish flu, poverty, and privilege.

Highly recommended!

"The Bookbinder" was a very good book. I was glad to see the references to "The Dictionary of Lost Words", including having Peggy Jones (one of the main characters in "The Bookbinder") help bind "Women's Words and Their Meanings" for Gareth to give as a gift to Esme. I was unhappy with what the future held for Esme and Gareth, although considering that "The Bookbinder" is set during WWI, it was a reasonable outcome, and I can understand and respect the author's decision to include that particular storyline.

The story focuses primarily on Peggy Jones and her sister, Maude, both of whom work as book binders for Clarendon Press. Maude is "different" and comes across as mentally handicapped because of her habit of repeating words and phrases of others, as well as other eccentricities. [However, rather than being intellectually disabled, Maude probably falls on the autism spectrum.] Peggy feels an obligation to watch out for her sister, especially as they have no other family, and this sense of obligation has become a convenient excuse for not pursuing her own ambitions. As the story progresses, the reader will discover that Maude is more capable than people believe, including her sister, and that she can excel when given the opportunity and guidance.

As noted, the story takes place during WWI, and it addresses the changes the war brought about in England -- fathers, sons, brothers, friends, etc. going off to war, some destined not to return, others to return injured or traumatized; women taking on new roles to make up for the lack of male workers; the influenza epidemic, etc.
One of Peggy and Maude's good friends, Tilda, becomes a volunteer nurse, and the letters she sends back portray the devastation of the war, as do the letters from Jack, a close friend and fellow employee at Clarendon Press (though on the men's side of the bindery) who enlisted. [Readers of the first book will recognize Tilda.] Oxford will also receive Belgian refugees and Belgian war wounded, two of whom, Lotte and Bastiaan, will play prominent roles in the lives of Maude and Peggy respectively.

While Peggy's job is to bind the books, not read the books, as one of her supervisors likes to remind her, Peggy is fascinated by the books and their contents. Her mother had made a habit of taking home damaged books or fragments of books, which she would read to her daughters and discuss with Peggy. Peggy has continued this habit, though most of what she brings home are fragments of books. She would very much like to attend Somerville, one of the Oxford colleges that admits women, but as a bindery girl, that does not seem like an option. Circumstances will arise that will give her the opportunity she has been seeking, if only she can take advantage of it.

The book explores issues of gender inequality, economic inequality, status/privilege, the value of an education, the horror of war, prejudice, insecurity, and the power of literature, among other themes. The characters are interesting, well developed, and enjoyable. As a bibliophile and antiquarian, I particularly enjoyed the discussion about the book binding process, as well as the preservation/restoration of old books, and the importance placed on the production of a quality product.

One of my favorite passages in the book (and one I hope is not changed, as I read an ARC, and therefore revisions may have been made to the final copy) is: "As soon as someone cracks the spine, a book develops a character all its own. What impresses or concerns one reader is never the same as what impresses or concerns all others. So, each book, once read, will fall open at a different place. Each book, once read, I realized, will have told a slightly different story."

Set in England, during the Great War, this story involves two twin sisters. After the death of the mother, Peggy promises to take care of her sister Maude. Because of that Peggy feels many restrictions which she feels limit her own life. Another one is the social standing. She comes from the working class, called “town.” The Oxford’s Somerville College, she dreams about and sees every day across from the University Press where she works, is for the upper class, called “gown.”

The story is driven by the voice of Peggy and her self-discovery. Both sisters work at bindery, but Peggy dreams about the world beyond binding. She craves the knowledge in the books she binds. A life changing opportunity comes when the tragic Great War sends Belgian refugees to parts of England.

The voice of Peggy represents voice of many women who were limited to certain things just because they were women. The war in in itself is a sad event, but in that tragedy an opportunity presents for some women.

The work of bookbinding is interestingly presented. The Belgian refugees fleeing to England is a lesser known subject brought to light in this story.

As with the previous book The Dictionary of Lost Words, the writing is beautiful. It’s kind of a story that is composed of sub stories, not strongly driven by plot. The strong part of this story is the female camaraderie and the warm writing.

I LOVED this book! Set in Oxford England during WWI, it takes a look at the lives of the bookbinders, who despite living in the shadow of Oxford and handling the books all day, never have time to read them or are afforded the ability to study. The main character, Peggy longs to do just that, but is beholden to taking care of her sister after their mother dies. The entrance of the British into WWI and the arrival of Belgian refugees start to change Peggy’s world, but there are still unmovable hurdles of class and sex in her way. There are so many richly developed characters in this book, and you feel as though you are right in 1917 Oxford with all of them. I highly recommend to anyone interested in historical fiction.

Pip Williams takes readers on a poignant journey through history and the lives of two resilient women in her novel, The Bookbinder. Set against the backdrop of World War I, Williams skillfully explores themes of knowledge, empowerment, and the impact of war on individuals and society.

The story revolves around twin sisters, Peggy and Maude, who work in the bindery at Oxford University press during a time when men are being sent off to war. Peggy, ambitious and intelligent, dreams of a different future where she can expand her horizons beyond the bindery's confines. Meanwhile, Maude finds solace and purpose in the meticulous work of folding pages. Their lives are forever altered when refugees from war-torn Belgium arrive, bringing with them new perspectives and challenges.

Williams' prose is evocative and immersive, effectively transporting readers to early 20th-century Oxford. The historical setting is meticulously researched and vividly portrayed, capturing the atmosphere of the time and the struggles faced by women in their pursuit of education and independence. The author's attention to detail shines through in her descriptions of bookbinding processes, creating a sense of craftsmanship and reverence for the art.

The characters, especially Peggy and Maude, are complex and well-developed, offering contrasting perspectives on the role of women in society. Peggy's desire for knowledge and intellectual growth resonates with readers, highlighting the inequalities and limitations faced by women during that era. Maude, on the other hand, finds fulfillment and contentment within the confines of her work, representing a different path to personal satisfaction. Their relationship as sisters is beautifully depicted, with Peggy's protective nature towards Maude adding emotional depth to the story.

The exploration of the power of knowledge and access to education is a central theme in The Bookbinder. Williams raises thought-provoking questions about who gets to create knowledge and who is privileged enough to access it. Through Peggy's aspirations and encounters with the refugees, the novel delves into the transformative nature of education and its potential to shape lives and challenge societal norms.

The pacing of the novel is steady, allowing the narrative to unfold gradually while maintaining a sense of intrigue. However, there are moments when the plot feels slightly predictable, particularly regarding Peggy's romantic involvement with a Belgian soldier. Nevertheless, the emotional depth and the exploration of broader social issues compensate for any predictability.

In summary, The Bookbinder is a beautifully written historical novel that transports readers to a bygone era. With its compelling characters, meticulous attention to detail, and exploration of important themes, Pip Williams once again demonstrates her ability to shed light on hidden histories through the eyes of strong and resilient women.

A gem of a story! Pip Williams’ The Bookbinder is an imaginative, engaging tale of twin sisters set in charming Oxfordshire, England in 1914 and the ensuing years of World War I. Main character Peggy’s achingly raw quest for knowledge and education, and the conflict between her personal goals and her devotion to her sister with special needs are vividly depicted against a backdrop of the challenges faced by working class women of the time. The pacing of this tale is sometime off kilter, and a more streamlined storyline would have resulted in a more impactful novel, in my humble opinion. Yet this book is well worth reading, and is highly recommended to fans of Pip Williams and of historical fiction featuring feisty, strong, well drawn women. The informative history of bookbinding is a bonus.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Ballantine Books for a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

<i>The Bookbinder</i> is a standalone companion book to Williams's extraordinary <i>The Dictionary of Lost Words</i>. Both books follow independent-minded women in Oxford during the time of World War I, and some side characters overlap between the two, but this is not a sequel in the traditional sense. Nor is it as emotionally powerful as the other book, though it is still an enjoyable read, and one I largely pushed through in a day.

Peggy and Maude are twin sisters who work in the bindery, each day folding pages to be inset into books, just as their late mother did before them. Peggy yearns for more--she stopped school at age 12--and looks upon the 'Gowns' at Oxford as an exclusive club that she will never be part of, but so wants to be. She's constrained by her own doubt and her devotion to Maude, who is disabled (she cues as perhaps autistic, and as an autist myself, I was alert to the portrayal and liked how it was handled). As Britain enters the war and the men leave and refugees from places such as Belgium arrive, Peggy's life changes.

Williams' approached the Great War from a unique angle, and a fascinating one at that. A sweet romance develops in the course of events. It's really a solid work of historical fiction, and one that I'm glad I read. Don't expect perky happiness throughout. Though this book doesn't go to the war, it doesn't shy away from its devastating effects on the home front.

I was pleased to have the opportunity to read this companion to The Dictionary of Lost Words, and indeed many of the issues highlighted are the same, such as the absence of women's rights and the importance of the written word. Peggy and Maud are twins who work at the Oxford Press publishing company. The focus is on Peggy, who quit school at age 12 in order to care for Maud who is mentally challenged, perhaps autistic. Peggy has always dreamed of attending Oxford in spite of her poverty, and finally sees a possible way forward. While the injustice of her gender and poverty preventing her easy access to an education are powerful in this novel, I was struck even more by the tragedy of World War I. The descriptions of the impact on the soldiers and women attendants were an excruciating anti-war message. The secondary characters were well-rounded and added a great deal to the plot. Too bad Peggy never got to meet Esme.

I loved Pip William’s Dictionary of Lost Words and so I picked this book. I still liked it, but not as much. This one is about the struggles two bookbinder sisters face as WWI affects their lives. It’s a compelling read yet not as engaging as the first.

The Bookbinder was a deep historical fiction that aims to tell the story of the war as experienced on the home front instead of at the fighting line. Peg and her twin sister work in a bookbindery — but Peg loves learning and she dreams of more. The novel shows the sacrifices made at home while also showing a dream of an education and female equality. I found it to be a slower read—feeling more like an account of war life vs a fiction novel but historical fiction fans are bound to be a fan.

I loved so many things about this book--the history, the characters, the heartfelt relationships between them. This is the kind of book that introduces you to a real world, one both familiar and yet foreign, and the utterly relatable people who inhabit it. I was immediately engrossed in early 20th Century Oxford, in the dichotomy between Town and Gown, and in the experiences of the women who lived through World War I, who were traumatized by it, but for whom memorials were not raised nor circumstances changed by their sacrifice.

More than that, I immediately loved Peggy Jones and her twin sister, Maude. Their love for each other--and their frustrations with each other--was evident on every page, and their complicated relationship so relatable. Every character was lovingly and meticulously crafted, believable on every page, from their mother's best friend, Tilda, to the briefly glimpsed Vera Brittain. The story is a familiar one--a young working woman who dreams of a better life--but it felt fresh and unexpected. The characters make the story believable, memorable, remarkable.

What I loved most were the details. I was fascinated by the descriptions of folding and binding pages of text, of the fragments of meaning that come from holding only part of a book. It made me appreciate books--the actual, physical sense of them--even more. I was absolutely riveted by all of it.

I adored The Dictionary of Lost Words and wasn't expecting a second book. I therefore was thrilled to read The Bookbinder. I loved the scenery, lives, and felt part of the character's struggles. In this book everything from the class differences to daily family troubles are shown. The issues from war from those left home.