The Bookbinder of Jericho

This book is a fabulous piece of historical fiction. It is described as a 'companion' book to the previous novel 'The Dictionary of Lost Words'. This is a perfect description - both books can be read as stand alone novels, but there are connections and I would highly recommend reading both.

In The Bookbinder we meet Peggy and Maude Jones who fold pages of books prior to the binding process. The first world war is underway and many of the men disappear from the bindery as they volunteer and are sent off to fight. The women are called on to keep working whilst also volunteering to nurse or read and write for injured soldiers. And in the background there is news of the ongoing suffragette movement and the possibility of women having the right to vote.

There are so many themes in this novel, it really makes you stop and think. The hardships of working class living are made really clear. The love for literature and books was a major draw for me and I loved that the author explained at the end of the novels which books were real and what they were about. I also appreciated the explanation of the people who were real - this would have passed me by to be honest, I would have assumed that all the characters were fictional.

There is real depth to the storyline and all the characters that come and go. I loved Peggy and her desire to be a 'gown' not just a 'town'. The desire to read the books not just bind them was palpable. The class divide and gender inequality were covered and were very relatable. The setting in Oxford is great too and brought alive will all the different locations. Great to have a historical novel set outside of London for a change.

I absolutely loved this book. I think the research that has gone into it shines through - I didn't know where fact ended and fiction started! I am sure this will be an international best seller and I wouldn't hesitate to read books by this author again.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a storming book. Storytelling matched with a good knowledge of the printing business at the turn of the century.
Really rang home to me as my late father-in-law was a master printer in Edinburgh. All the terms and descriptions bought all the memories back from his tales in the printing process. Also life on the canals at this time.

I cannot praise this book highly enough. Blood sweat and tears were present in this read.

Well done and I eagerly;ly await your next novel.

I loved this book! A brilliant story centred around a book binders in Oxford during the First World War.

At times heartbreaking , the book tells us the story of twins who work in the book binders. One of whom has aspirations to do more with her life- wanting to join the ‘gown’ at Oxford instead of being part of ‘town’ whilst recognising her place in life.

The First World War sees most men volunteering for action, whilst the women continue at the bindery and take on extra duties such as volunteering at the temporary war hospitals created to care for the wounded.

Beautifully written, painfully sad and a must read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An utterly charming historical novel, which is also a companion piece to The Dictionary of Lost Words. As war begins, a group of women take on the responsibility of running the Oxford University Press. Women from all walks of life come together in a book about books, hope, love, war and courage. Exquisitely written, this is an original and moving novel.

Superb! A beautifully written, gentle, emotional story told with such empathy and compassion I felt the author must have been a book binder herself! The story was educational too - the research must have been immense!, not just about the book binding but the state of women’s emancipation at that time plus all the horrors of the First World War. Peggy and Maude, twin sisters living in their narrow boat after the death of their mother. They both work in Jericho at the Book Binders. Pegs is a woman of her time desperate to better herself but torn between her ambition and taking care of her sister Maud. Maud is different, a complex but much loved character in her own right. The war begins and their lives change - Peggy begins to find herself! An old friend of their mothers, Tilda becomes a VAD, close friend Jack joins up and Belgian refugees arrive! Peggy meets and volunteers with Gwen, a gown at the Somerville Women’s college in Oxford and who unwittingly inflames her ambitions. She also meets Bastiaan, a refugee who she initially cares for and the relationship deepens. The story is simple yet told with such compassion, such depth! I found I was literally holding my breath at one point! A truly wonderful story that had me in its thrall from start to finish.