The Bookbinder

A Novel

By: Pip Williams

Narrated by: Annabelle Tudor

A young British woman working in a book bindery gets a chance to pursue knowledge and love when World War I upends her life in this new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese’s Book Club pick The Dictionary of Lost Words.

“Williams spins an immersive and compelling tale, sweeping us back to the Oxford she painted so expertly in The Dictionary of Lost Words.”—Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife

It is 1914, and as the war draws the young men of Britain away to fight, women must keep the nation running. Two of those women are Peggy and Maude, twin sisters who live on a narrow boat in Oxford and work in the bindery at the university press.

Ambitious, intelligent Peggy has been told for most of her life that her job is to bind the books, not read them—but as she folds and gathers pages, her mind wanders to the opposite side of Walton Street, where the female students of Oxford’s Somerville College have a whole library at their fingertips. Maude, meanwhile, wants nothing more than what she has: to spend her days folding the pages of books in the company of the other bindery girls. She is extraordinary but vulnerable, and Peggy feels compelled to watch over her.

Then refugees arrive from the war-torn cities of Belgium, sending ripples through the Oxford community and the sisters’ lives. Peggy begins to see the possibility of another future where she can educate herself and use her intellect, not just her hands. But as war and illness reshape her world, her love for a Belgian soldier—and the responsibility that comes with it—threaten to hold her back.

The Bookbinder is a story about knowledge—who creates it, who can access it, and what truths get lost in the process. Much as she did in the international bestseller The Dictionary of Lost Words, Pip Williams thoughtfully explores another rarely seen slice of history through women’s eyes.

i loved the narration which helped to bring the characters to life.

Beautifully and thoughtfully written. the characters and story transported me to this pivotal time in history, illuminating the struggles of women to gain opportunities reserved for men and the priveleged. I loved this book, so much that I listened to it twice and bought the physical book.

Enjoyable

A book full of anticipation about the outcome of the main character. Some very sad parts. The ending was satisfying but the story could have turned out many different ways.

Thanks to the author for bringing the unsung women of bookbinding into view.

Lovely characters

The story moves along nicely and is very enjoyable. The problem is that the story never comes to a conclusion, it simply stops. The war ends, the book ends. It left me very disappointed. Virtually all of the characters are at a point where they need to make big decisions, but we never see them work through those decisions. The epilogue simply confirms that the reader misses very important parts of the characters' lives.

To the Invisible Women

This book is beautifully written and read. The women in all their roles and relationships are the center of the story. This is the time of my great grandmother and I can imagine her into this story. The author shines the light on their stories that men have overshadowed. This is one of my all time favorite books now and has inspired me, like Peg, to read more!

A superbly narrated insight into women's life on the home front during WW I.

Anabelle Tudor's performance of this beautiful book is quite flawless; every character of every class and both sexes is vividly portrayed. The horror of life and conditions on the Western Front comes through clearly in 'Tilda's letters home, without being dwelt upon. A tour de force!