⋙ Download The Binding Bridget Collins 9780008272111 Books

The Binding Bridget Collins 9780008272111 Books

Download As PDF : The Binding Bridget Collins 9780008272111 Books

The Binding Bridget Collins 9780008272111 Books

Occasionally you will come across a book that exceeds all expectations and hype, that actually changes you as you read it, and that makes you absolutely terrified to write the review for it because you just don't know how you will satisfactorily convey how special this book really is. THE BINDING by Bridget Collins is this book for me.

Emmett Farmer works on his family farm and lives a simple life. But all of that changed when he was struck down with a mysterious illness that ravaged his body and mind and left his family fearful of him. When he receives a letter from the bookbinder demanding he go to her to become an apprentice, Emmett is afraid but understands that he has no choice. Seredith, the bookbinder, is not what he expected, and as he begins to slowly learn his new craft, Emmett begins to find peace in his new future. But the magic of bookbinding can take its toll, as Emmett will learn, for those who come to them for help will hand over their most painful memories into their book, and return to their life without that memory forever. But when Emmett finds a book with his own name on it, it will change everything for him.

Compelling, hypnotic, emotional, magical, thought-provoking, unique, engaging - these are all words that flare to the surface while I read THE BINDING by Bridget Collins. You often hear that a book is unlike any other etc, but this really is true in this case. The characters and the memories touched my heart and soul in a way that no other book has done before. This is a story to be savoured and as it is released into the world I find myself a little jealous of those who are getting to read it for the first time. I say the first time because THE BINDING by Bridget Collins is one of those rare books that I will re-read over and over again.

THE BINDING by Bridget Collins is that special that I am happy to say this early in 2019, if you read only one book this year, make it this one!

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher


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The Binding Bridget Collins 9780008272111 Books Reviews

For a book with no real locations, this has one amazing sense of place. Set in the small town of Castleford (there is a Castleford in Yorkshire) this is a wonderfully immersive story about books, magic and inner human turmoil.

It's very magical and fantastical but gothic at the same time. During the first few chapters, we learn that the people in the story are scared of books and ban them from their houses. What!? I cried, what is this nonsense? But it turns out there is a very good reason for their fear. Books in their world can hold pain, tension and release it too. People can ask for their bad memories to be bound in a book and then stored away. This gives them peace of mind...for a while.

The craft of book binding is described with loving delight. You realise that this is a true art but how somehow it's being used for dark arts in this book. The apprentice of our story, Emmet Farmer goes off to become one of these elusive bookbinders. And then he sees a book with his name on it..

Jeepers this was twisty, immersive, eerie and ghostly all at once.

Then we learn more about the bookbinders themselves - how some are honest and willing to help others and how others are there to corrupt and cheat people from their pasts and their memories. Deliciously evil when you think about it!

Imagine the potential of having the worst of you in a book, of someone else locking away your memories in a book without your knowledge. Gives a whole new meaning to the power of reading!

There's a love story in here too and this was magically conjured as a novel about social class, social divide, bookbinders and those in their grasp, two people coming together can unravel the tightest of threads and create new ones...

Can't say more without spoilers so read it now! And next time you see an old, bound book, take a look at the names on the cover...the name on it might not be the author ;)
The Binding, Bridget Collins

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre General fiction (Adult)

A really unusual story, its hard to class it but it feels like its set back in time but where the magic of Binding – removing peoples memories and putting them in a book– is real. Of course while alive those memories aren't supposed to be sold, but they are the only kind of stories around, and there are always unscrupulous folk....

I did find it difficult re pacing at the start. I felt like I was fully engrossed in Emmet's present and the issues he'd been through when I'm taken to his past, where he meets Lucian. And that was heartbreaking for all parties.

Its a read full of what if's – what would I do in the same situation, and it shows that the old adage of be careful what you wish for is something to be carefully considered.
I loved the characters, the descriptions of everyday life, the horrors of those who abuse the system, from people covering up or forgetting their own bad behaviour, to those poor folk who had nothing left to sell, were so poor they parted with their memories, each leaving its own impact on them. Of course things like that weren't supposed to happen, ostensibly people had to consent but there are ways around that and the more money and position orientated Binders were ready to take full advantage.
It did feel a little disconnected at times, as though I'd missed some essential parts, but that didn't affect the overall story, and the gentle, unfolding romance was beautiful. If this magic was real, yes, I could see all the things in the novel happening all too easily. Its not a HEA story, there's a conclusion of sorts, but its very much a possible HFN, and maybe the magic HEA, though in that time and clime I think its unlikely.
Would I reread this? Possibly, and I'd certainly read more from this author.

Stars Four, a really unusual and entrancing story but the pacing was a little off for me, and I would have liked a bit more of an ending.

ARC via Netgalley and publishers
Occasionally you will come across a book that exceeds all expectations and hype, that actually changes you as you read it, and that makes you absolutely terrified to write the review for it because you just don't know how you will satisfactorily convey how special this book really is. THE BINDING by Bridget Collins is this book for me.

Emmett Farmer works on his family farm and lives a simple life. But all of that changed when he was struck down with a mysterious illness that ravaged his body and mind and left his family fearful of him. When he receives a letter from the bookbinder demanding he go to her to become an apprentice, Emmett is afraid but understands that he has no choice. Seredith, the bookbinder, is not what he expected, and as he begins to slowly learn his new craft, Emmett begins to find peace in his new future. But the magic of bookbinding can take its toll, as Emmett will learn, for those who come to them for help will hand over their most painful memories into their book, and return to their life without that memory forever. But when Emmett finds a book with his own name on it, it will change everything for him.

Compelling, hypnotic, emotional, magical, thought-provoking, unique, engaging - these are all words that flare to the surface while I read THE BINDING by Bridget Collins. You often hear that a book is unlike any other etc, but this really is true in this case. The characters and the memories touched my heart and soul in a way that no other book has done before. This is a story to be savoured and as it is released into the world I find myself a little jealous of those who are getting to read it for the first time. I say the first time because THE BINDING by Bridget Collins is one of those rare books that I will re-read over and over again.

THE BINDING by Bridget Collins is that special that I am happy to say this early in 2019, if you read only one book this year, make it this one!

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher