The Bookbinder by Pip Williams

 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 their country and seeking refuge in 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.

Release date: July, 25 2023

Source: Ballantine Book, Penguin Random House