A review by bookwormmelissa
The Bookbinder by Pip Williams

3.0

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. I have not read The Dictionary of Lost Words yet, and I discovered while reading this that the novels are connected. This is a WW1 era story of the women who continued to run the Oxford University Press during the war, and specifically about twin sisters Maude and Peggy, who live on a narrowboat nearby. Peggy dreams to attending the local college, but she is tasked with caring for Maude, who has some cognitive disabilities. The writing is beautiful, and the book focuses more on the stories of Peggy, Maude, and their peers instead of a moving plot. I thought the story was compelling, especially around themes of whose stories get told and who gets to access those stories. However, I wished the book was tightened up a bit more - I was ready to be done! I do have her previous book on my stack for August, so I look forward to revisiting the people in this community. 3.5 stars.