The Bookbinder by Pip Williams

 Brigid of Kildare is she just a legend or historical figure? Nonetheless, this novel brings a fascinating figure of Saint Brigid who was presumably Ireland’s first and only female priest and bishop.

Gael, Ireland, A.D. 456. Brigid, daughter of Dubtach – king of the Fothairt people of southern Gael, at young age questions the lack of prominent women in Jesus’s earthly world. She questions women as passive vessels for the doings of men. She questions a world without women leaders. It is during a time when the infiltration of Roman Church reaches the Gaelic people. Dubtach refuses to be baptized or to force his people to do it. Nevertheless, he allows his daughter to be baptized in secret. Brigid is of age that she must choose a life path. She chooses a Christian path with singular devotion. Thus, rejecting marriage against her father’s choosing. To appease her parents, she is guided to blend Gaels customs with Christianity. She doesn’t preach. With patience and by listening, she guides her people in constructive way, earning their trust. Village by village, she converts them from believing in many gods to one God.

A.D. 470. Brother Decius is sent from Rome to Gael to spy on Brigid and her heresy. What he sees is not what he expected. The craftsmanship of any kind of art is impressive, (not primitive). The people are warm, (not guarded). He notices no strict hierarchy. He is assigned to create a sacred manuscript and with time, he finds himself at odds with his original mission.

Present day Ireland. Alex arrives in Kildare where Sister Mary at Saint Brigid’s Church presents her with relics to be appraised. She comes across the most beautiful illuminated manuscript.

I enjoyed the protagonist very much. She is educated and trained as a warrior, but chooses a peaceful path guided by God. With the converted and increasing population, she remains humble. With her self-appointed ministry, she knows she has to be smart and tread the waters carefully not to alienate the Roman Church. She is a natural leader, among many achievements founding a monastery and a school of art, including illumination and creating magnificently illuminated Book of Kildare.

I enjoyed the story in its entirety. However, the first part of the book is wonderful in character-development, which I wished continued to the end. The second part of the book is more concentrated on the Book of Kildare, the oldest illuminated manuscript, a manuscript holding some secrets. With rich historical background, especially pertaining to the manuscript, and with grasping storytelling readers are taken on an interesting journey of an extraordinary character – Saint Brigid.

Usually, I do not like present/modern timeline woven with period timelines, but I was grasped by both timelines and they are interlaced seamlessly.

P.S. If you are not familiar with this author – Heather Tarrell, but familiar with Marie Benedict, this is the same author. Also, highly recommend Marie Benedict's upcoming book Her Hidden Genius.

Released in 2014

Publisher: Ballantine Books