The Binding
Books | Fiction / Literary
3.7
(502)
Bridget Collins
NATIONAL BESTSELLERA NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICEProclaimed 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 CHEVALIERImagine 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.
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More Details:
Author
Bridget Collins
Pages
464
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published Date
2019-04-09
ISBN
0062838113 9780062838117
Community ReviewsSee all
"I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was AMAZING! I was glued from the first sentence! Everything about this book was chef's kiss!! The book encompasses several genres. READ IT :) "
Candi Parshall
"My heart ached for the characters. I loved the fantasy element of the story. I enjoyed the writing style. Just overall a wonderful book. "
Alex Paul
"Emmett is stricken with a strange illness leaves him with a faulty memory and must abandon his family’s farm, seeking refuge in the apprenticeship of an old Binder of books, a profession reviled by the locals. Through a series of unfortunate events, Emmett learns more of his illness, the creation of books, and of the events leading up to his apprenticeship and his falling out with an old friend. "
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Archivalries
"Adored it but I'd suggest looking into the author before you go and purchase this for yourself. Save yourself the heartbreak I'm still experiencing over this book."
Mosscoveredrock
"Great story. Makes me wonder how much I'd do for my love ❤️"
Emma Neorr
"The most beautiful, lyrical writing with characters you will ache for. Love love love this book."
Caitlin Perkins
"<strong>Sucked me in from the start</strong><br/><br/>Holy moly. This book SUCKED ME IN right from the get go. I read it in just over 2 days (which isn't abnormal for me) but I could have read it faster if I had more time because I didn't want to put it down because it was SO GOOD! I highly recommend this book, just be prepared for some spice!"
Brittany Peralta
"This was soooo good. I loved every second of this twisted novel. Highly recommend, this is brilliant."
Samantha Leavitt
"I totally lost respect for Emmett's family after that reveal. Like, Alta, keep your mouth shut. You ruined your and your brother's chance to have a good life. <br/><br/>At first, this was a five star, then I thought about it, and it became a four-star. I just started thinking about other books I rated five stars and was like eh. Honestly, I wished the ending would have had a bit more dialogue between Lucian and Emmett, just discussing what happened. Or maybe an epilogue, but it definitely didn't disappoint me enough to rate it any lower than four stars."
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Allykay Willims
"Currently standing as my favorite book of the year!"
Stacey Shaw