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.

Peg and Maude, identical twins, live on a boat and work as book binders in Oxford during WW1. They lost their mom five years previously at the age of 17. Peg looks after Maude, as she isn't quite right. This is the story of Peg, who would rather read the books, than bind them.

This is not something I would typically reach for but for some reason this book just called to me. It was not what I expected and it taught me a lot about this time in history when it comes to women and the power of hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

Set in Oxford in the days of World War I, The Bookbinder by Pip Williams is one of those historical fictions that transports you in every way. I was immersed in the setting, the time period, and the characters. And I loved every word of it.

Peggy and Maude are twins, both beautiful but infinitely different. Peggy is brilliant despite a lack of education. She longs for more out of life than her job at Oxford University Press—she wants to read the books instead of binding them and even imagines a life at Somerville College. But her sister, Maude, is neuro-divergent and exhibits echolalia, and Peggy feels responsible for her. Peggy and Maude’s mother, who also worked at the bindery, has been dead three years when we meet the young women. Their father had never been a part of their lives.

The two twenty-year-olds live on a boat in the canal bordering the neighborhood of Jericho. This small houseboat is lined with books both their mother and Peggy have collected—some whole books, but some just scraps, pages, and sections, all of which are treasured. They have a wonderful support group of neighbors and friends, and every character is richly fleshed out, bringing unique viewpoints. For instance, their mother’s best friend, Tilda, is an actress and suffragette who stays in touch with the twins via letters and occasional visits. She ends up volunteering during the war and gives both inspiration and unflinching insight.

Refugees who flood the city when the war ravages Belgium play a critical role in the young women’s lives, too. Especially a recovering Belgian soldier. As Peggy, who was inspired to volunteer by Tilda, comes to know this man whose face has been grossly disfigured in combat, she learns about love and sacrifice.

Themes of sacrifice—for those you know and love and for those you don’t—play alongside themes of love, friendship, class disparity, sexism, education, and familial responsibility. I was fascinated by the research the author obviously had done on bookbinding and loved coming away with so much new knowledge about it. She writes about the suffragette movement, life at an Oxford college, and the psychological effects of a horrible war with authenticity and insight, too.

Though the backdrop of war is bleak, the book is hopeful. It brims with the promise of education, the reward of overcoming fears, the value of forgiving yourself and others, and the incomparable gift of perseverance.
I’ve had the author’s debut novel, The Dictionary of Lost Words, on my TBR list since it came out, but now it’s jumped to the top of that list. Williams’ luscious descriptions, her ability to paint subtle emotions, and her skill in developing relatable, flawed, unique characters guarantee it will be another favorite. I won’t forget The Bookbinder for a long time.

I loved author Pip Williams’ first book, The Dictionary of Lost Words, so was very pleased to receive this advance copy, purported to be somewhat of a sequel, which I did enjoy but found less immersive than her first.

The Bookbinder is set in the WWI-era in the town of Jericho, England, near Oxford.. Twins Peggy and Maude have worked at the Clarendon Press, part of Oxford University Press, since about age 12. Peggy is very intelligent, while Maude is special needs of some kind. Her limitations and character are well-described. With their mother having passed, Peggy cares for Maude on the narrowboat on which they live. There are excellently-drawn characters as the story progresses—Rosie, the motherly neighbor on the next boat; Bastiaan, a badly-injured Belgian soldier whom Peggy meets while volunteering in a hospital and develops affection for; Lotte, a refugee, and Gwen, an upper-class student at Somerville College.

Peggy dreams of studying at Somerville but faces an uphill battle as she left school at age twelve to work and watch over Maude’s work at the Bindery. Their narrowboat is packed with portions of books ruined during the bookbinding process, as well as a very few procured by their mother. Peggy loves the words she sees in her job and they consistently draw her attention, though her job is to “bind, not read.” Nevertheless, her limited education would make it very difficult for her to pass entrance exams for Somerville without extensive study. She is a “Town,” lesser-class local resident, while Gwen and most of Somerville are “Gown,” and well-to-do.

There is a lot of WWI-related story line in the book, ranging from grim conditions at the Etaples, France, Army camp where the twins’ mother’s friend Tilda works, to Peggy and Gwen volunteering to help wounded Belgian soldiers being treated in Jericho. The Spanish flu plays a part as well, killing locals and soldiers alike. Detail of the time period is illuminating.

While there are brief references to and connections with The Dictionary of Lost Words, this book is not a sequel per se. It evokes well the work and lives of the bookbinder girls, but sadly, it did not draw me in and keep my interest as The Dictionary did. Therefore I am rating it 3 1/2. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Yet another wonderful book by this author. We find ourselves swept up in a story of a young, beautiful town bookbinder with an identical twin, who has special needs, living in Oxford during WWI. This story is powerful and heartbreaking because our protagonist works in a book binding field where her talents are not being used to their full potential. But she can't leave, because she has to take care of her sister. This book touch deals with various themes such as books, women working men's jobs, class, as there's an influx of Belgian refugees that come in, and of course, books. This was an unbelievably poignant read.

Favorite Quote: If you shrink yourself to the smallness of your circumstances, you’ll soon disappear.

Story Synopsis: The Bookbinder is set at the start of World War I in Oxford, England. There’s very little crossover with The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. You meet Peggy Jones, a bookbinder who wants to attend Oxford and learn. When the war starts and changes everything, Peggy is faced with how to give her sister, Maude, space, and how to deal with loss, love, and going after the life she wants.

After reading The Dictionary of Lost Words, I was so excited to read The Bookbinder. However, The Bookbinder was a bit of a disappointment. Despite a great start, the book never took off. When I got about halfway through, I kept waiting for the inciting incident, but nothing happened. And then, nothing happened. Then, the book ended. The characters didn’t have much growth or arc, and the novel fizzled out. Sadly, The Bookbinder left little to the imagination and a lot to be desired.

I loved Pip Williams’ first novel, and I loved this one just as much. The books brush against each other with small references to The Dictionary of Lost Words, but this is not a sequel; it’s a parallel story. Peggy and Maude were the types of characters that stick with you for awhile. As the town continued to carry on, it was slowly being changed by WWI. The characters, even the minor ones, have depth unlike what is usually seen in novels. I feel like I have spent my day with these characters and their complexity will continue to amaze me in the days to come. Just as I did with Williams’ first book, I highly recommend The Bookbinder.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I had the pleasure of also receiving Pip William's other title The Dictionary of Lost Words when it was first released. I absolutely loved it and was really excited to see her newest title The Bookbinder on Netgalley. The Bookbinder is about twin sisters who work binding books during the start of World War I. One sister has mental disabilities and one dreams of attending university but feels like she must stay and care for her sister after the passing of their mother. Williams does a great job weaving history into the story, giving us a glimpse of life at that time as well as the history of book making. I found this title to be enjoyable, informative, and engaging. I personally liked the Dictionary of Lost Words best, but enjoyed this read and would share it with friends.

Review:
📚📚📚📚📚 (5/5)
The Bookbinder by Pip Williams was one of the most fun reads I’ve experienced this year! What a fantastic consistency in storytelling following Williams’ sensational bestselling breakout novel, The Dictionary of Lost Words.
I wouldn’t necessarily call this a second installment to a series as it’s more of buddy or companion read. If you’ve read The Dictionary of Lost Words you’ll be reacquainted with a few of your favorite darlings in The Bookbinder! I absolutely loved it.

Pip Williams did it again and I was not disappointed! Finally a war novel not set in WWII! A great historical fiction plus the added bonus of the women working in a book bindery.