Name: lh's review of The Binding by Bridget Collins
Item: The Binding
Rating: 3
Author: lh

Bridget Collins

A Novel

The Binding

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Utterly brilliant' Joanna Cannon'Truly spellbinding' Guardian'Pure magic' Erin Kelly'A real treat' The Times'Gorgeous' Stella Duffy'Astounding' Anna Mazzola Imagine you could erase your grief.Imagine you could forget your pain.Imagine you could hide a secret.Forever. Emmett Farmer is working in the fields when a letter arrives summoning him to begin an apprenticeship. He will work for a Bookbinder, a vocation that arouses fear, superstition and prejudice - but one neither he nor his parents can afford to refuse. He will learn to hand-craft beautiful volumes, and within each he will capture something unique and extraordinary: a memory. If there's something you want to forget, he can help. If there's something you need to erase, he can assist. Your past will be stored safely in a book and you will never remember your secret, however terrible. In a vault under his mentor's workshop, row upon row of books - and memories - are meticulously stored and recorded. Then one day Emmett makes an astonishing discovery: one of them has his name on it. THE BINDING is an unforgettable, magical novel: a boundary-defying love story and a unique literary event.

JJay Jones

“May your darkness be quiet and the light come sooner then you need”

“Will you shut about my fucking innocence?”

“all right” he said and grinned. “As long as you let me destroy it completely.”

Maybe I should’ve followed him. But some how it went from too soon, to too late, without the right moment in between.

Isabelle

Your left hand shows the fate you were born with, and your right shows the fate you made for yourself. 

So every book, every book that's ever been bound, is someone's memories. Something they've chosen to forget. 

I won't let you down... Trust me…yes. love you. Buts it wasn’t real.

LOSE YOURSELF IN THE BREAKOUT SENSATION OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019 'Brilliant' Joanna Cannon 'Spellbinding' Guardian 'Magic' Erin Kelly 'Immersive' Sunday Times 'Gorgeous' Stella Duffy 'Astounding' Anna Mazzola Emmett Farmer is a binder's apprentice. His job is to hand-craft beautiful books and, within each, to capture something unique and extraordinary: a memory. If you have something you want to forget, or a secret to hide, he can bind it - and you will never have to remember the pain it caused. In a vault under his mentor's workshop, row upon row of books - and secrets - are meticulously stored and recorded. Then one day Emmett makes an astonishing discovery: one of the volumes has his name on it.

Molly Sanderson 

It's you I want. If you don't, then Id rather have no one at all.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE Proclaimed as "truly spellbinding," a "great fable" that "functions as transporting romance" by the Guardian, the runaway #1 international bestseller "A rich, gothic entertainment that explores what books have trapped inside them and reminds us of the power of storytelling. Spellbinding." -- TRACY CHEVALIER Imagine you could erase grief. Imagine you could remove pain. Imagine you could hide the darkest, most horrifying secret. Forever. Young Emmett Farmer is working in the fields when a strange letter arrives summoning him away from his family. He is to begin an apprenticeship as a Bookbinder--a vocation that arouses fear, superstition, and prejudice amongst their small community, but one neither he nor his parents can afford to refuse. For as long as he can recall, Emmett has been drawn to books, even though they are strictly forbidden. Bookbinding is a sacred calling, Seredith informs her new apprentice, and he is a binder born. Under the old woman's watchful eye, Emmett learns to hand-craft the elegant leather-bound volumes. Within each one they will capture something unique and extraordinary: a memory. If there's something you want to forget, a binder can help. If there's something you need to erase, they can assist. Within the pages of the books they create, secrets are concealed and the past is locked away. In a vault under his mentor's workshop rows upon rows of books are meticulously stored. But while Seredith is an artisan, there are others of their kind, avaricious and amoral tradesman who use their talents for dark ends--and just as Emmett begins to settle into his new circumstances, he makes an astonishing discovery: one of the books has his name on it. Soon, everything he thought he understood about his life will be dramatically rewritten. An unforgettable novel of enchantment, mystery, memory, and forbidden love, The Binding is a beautiful homage to the allure and life-changing power of books--and a reminder to us all that knowledge can be its own kind of magic.

Elena M.

I never knew that my body could betray me, that my mind could go out like a lamp and leave nothing but darkness.

Jacob Atchison

Meh. I struggled to get into this, got drawn in a little in the middle but then had to make myself finish it. Not really my cup of tea.

Emma Cragg

Caroline Williams

A slow start to a book that felt disconnected from the rest of the story, the mystery of the trade of binding and Seredith didn’t seem to have much of a conclusion once we reached the end of it. Part two quickly revealed this was, in fact, a historical queer romance and I was so invested in the story and characters I finished the entire thing in one sitting. It was tragic and beautiful and left you filled with hope. The ending was so abrupt though I thought my kindle skipped some of the pages and I had to laugh. This could have been a perfect read if it weren’t for the pacing of the book.

The love story is beautiful, but the execution left me a bit disappointed. It felt too long-winded. I forced myself past the first 7 chapters until it finally got better.

L.A.

ariadna

Christine

It’s just a forbidden love story 🥺 it had everything right. The right amount of story, love and understanding to the concept. I just was overwhelmed with how long winded it was 🥲 but overall a definite must read

Honestly, this is one of my favourite books I’ve ever read. I didn’t think it would be as good as it was, but watching the characters develop and find themselves was honestly so rewarding. Watching Emmett fight for Lucian was one of the cutest things I’ve ever read. 

Luke Rigby

Renita Peter

Jacqueline Englund

This was not at all what I expected. A beautifully written, atmospheric book about books, magic and an unexpected and unforgettable love story! One of the best!

cecilia

Abbi

It took me a while to get into but once it clicked I couldn't stop reading.

I won an advanced reader's edition from Goodreads Giveaways.

I enjoyed this book and I want more of the people/world, but there are moments where the story telling feels clumsy and it cuts away from things you want to know. It used tropes in a way that I thought I had it all figured out only to turn into an adjacent similar trope instead which was a nice surprise.

Jantien 

I was triggered a lot throughout this book, and not in a good way. I couldn’t stand Emmett. The way time works in this book is just 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️. I couldn’t DNF because I read it for bookclub, but I was pining for the end the entire time. It never really did get better. Sad!

it had a lot of potential. I wish Collins did more with what she had by either making the book longer or setting it up so it could be a series. The idea was fantastic and the idea of binding was really interesting as was Lucian's relationship with his family and the glimpses we got into his past, however it didn't reach the expectations I had of it.

This book had potential to be really thought provoking and insightful but it changed into a teenage romance. While I'm not saying I don't enjoy a good teenage romance, the book was really centered around it when it could've been centered around something else

J Purdie

it had a lot of potential. I wish Collins did more with what she had by either making the book longer or setting it up so it could be a series. The idea was fantastic and the idea of binding was really interesting as was Lucian's relationship with his family and the glimpses we got into his past, however it didn't reach the expectations I had of it.

This book had potential to be really thought provoking and insightful but it changed into a teenage romance. While I'm not saying I don't enjoy a good teenage romance, the book was really centered around it when it could've been centered around something else

A.L.L.

Not what I expected from the jacket summary that got me to pick up this book, but pleasantly enjoyed it nonetheless. 

It was a bit of a slow burn (pun intended?) and each stage of the book was its own.

sophia n

THIS GAY HISTORICAL MAGIC REALISM ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND AU GOT ME ALL TYPES OF FUCKED UP!!!!! IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY LADS!!!!!!! i have to return this to the library tomorrow i'll try and write a coherent review afterwards bc it's almost 2am rn lmao

i've been trying to think about how to review this for a few days now and i'm still reeling and recovering so idk maybe i shouldn't even try. 

let me just say these things: go into this book knowing nothing, it's the best experience. if it sounds like something you'd like: JUST GO READ IT. know that this book follows *TYPICAL* magic realism tropes, this is not about the mechanics of the fantasy/magic. this, in the end, is a character study and a romance. if you expect something else, you might be disappointed. OKAY NOW GO READ IT.

also tw for a lot, including: suicide, emotional and physical abuse, rape, incest, murder, animal cruelty, and homophobia.

Ofelia

Ilona Labská 

Well, this one took me by surprise. I didn't expect this kind of turn of events. But it was a pleasant one. It could have gotten a little bit more into the binding, but it was lovely nonetheless. I am not a big fan of the romance genre, but I did appreciate it this time.

Kailey Rios

i wasn’t sure what to expect when i started this book but i absolutely adored it.

the writing was beautiful and the entire premise was so interesting to read about; i couldn’t stop thinking about it.

i fell in love with emmett and lucian and their relationship and i’m actually really happy with the way it ended.

i do wish the process of book binding has been explored a little more but this was still such an amazing read.


  4.5 stars

Savannah Winchell

3.75 ⭐️
TW: rape (but it’s handled well) and themes of coping with trauma
- it’s almost extraordinary????
- fascinating concept and storyline
- I wish her writing itself was more interesting
- I’m going to need to think about this one

emily

honestly could not even tell you the plot of this (derogatory) / 3 stars

NATIONAL BESTSELLER A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE Proclaimed as “truly spellbinding,” a “great fable” that “functions as transporting romance” by the Guardian, the runaway #1 international bestseller "A rich, gothic entertainment that explores what books have trapped inside them and reminds us of the power of storytelling. Spellbinding.” — TRACY CHEVALIER Imagine you could erase grief. Imagine you could remove pain. Imagine you could hide the darkest, most horrifying secret. Forever. Young Emmett Farmer is working in the fields when a strange letter arrives summoning him away from his family. He is to begin an apprenticeship as a Bookbinder—a vocation that arouses fear, superstition, and prejudice amongst their small community, but one neither he nor his parents can afford to refuse. For as long as he can recall, Emmett has been drawn to books, even though they are strictly forbidden. Bookbinding is a sacred calling, Seredith informs her new apprentice, and he is a binder born. Under the old woman’s watchful eye, Emmett learns to hand-craft the elegant leather-bound volumes. Within each one they will capture something unique and extraordinary: a memory. If there’s something you want to forget, a binder can help. If there’s something you need to erase, they can assist. Within the pages of the books they create, secrets are concealed and the past is locked away. In a vault under his mentor’s workshop rows upon rows of books are meticulously stored. But while Seredith is an artisan, there are others of their kind, avaricious and amoral tradesman who use their talents for dark ends—and just as Emmett begins to settle into his new circumstances, he makes an astonishing discovery: one of the books has his name on it. Soon, everything he thought he understood about his life will be dramatically rewritten. An unforgettable novel of enchantment, mystery, memory, and forbidden love, The Binding is a beautiful homage to the allure and life-changing power of books—and a reminder to us all that knowledge can be its own kind of magic.

Cams Campbell

Not really my cup of tea, but I liked it well enough to finish it. The concept was what drew me in and the writing was strong. It's just not really my bag if I'm honest.

Mary Rose Luksha

I think the reason The Binding got so many critical reviews is because the synopsis on the book jacket isn’t very...accurate. Yes it’s about all that, but there’s a whole other storyline being woven through that the synopsis doesn’t cover. So if you go into this book thinking it’s going to be like the blurb, you’re gonna be disappointed. But if you can let go of what you think the book will be about, then the actual book is pretty friggin good.

lh &
The Binding by Bridget Collins

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