The Binding: A Novel

Written by Bridget Collins

Narrated by Carl Prekopp

Proclaimed as “truly spellbinding,” a “great fable” that “functions as transporting romance” by the Guardian, the runaway #1 international bestseller arrives in America.

""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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Apr 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9780062898722

Bridget Collins

Bridget Collins is the international bestselling author of The Binding and The Betrayals. She is also the author of seven acclaimed books for young adults and has had two plays produced, one at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Bridget trained as an actor at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art after reading English at King’s College, Cambridge. She lives in Kent, United Kingdom.

Reviews for The Binding

[langklaus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Starts a little slow, give it time. it’s a fantastic premise, well executed and with style!

[lee83-87336 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed part 1, part 2 nearly had me dnf’ing this book but I am so glad I stuck it through - I went through every emotion in part 3. Changed my mind about the characters all the way through

[Julia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully written and beautifully read. A story that will stay with me forever - even though it's probably one of those fake ones;)

[Joanna Marchena · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

it was slow at the beginning but wow was it worth it

[Tressie Chamlongsong · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Favorite read of the year. Heartbreaking and so beautifully written!

[Abigail C · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So much darker and heart wrenching than I was anticipating. TW for mentions of abuse, rape, and animal cruelty at times.

[Abigael Puritz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book. Interesting premise, sensuous and atmospheric writing, very romantic. A bit on the dark side, but not too much, highly recommended. A bit reminiscent of "Song of Achilles"

[Jackie Schear · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed the book overall, it has great character development for the two main characters but the ending felt slightly abrupt. Other than for the ending I really was swept away by the story.

[Pat Horan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a fabulous story. The characters are so well described through their thoughts, conversations, and actions, that I felt like I was in the plot, acting as an avid observer. I'm recommending this book to my friends.
The narrator was also quite skilled.

[Hayley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book. Part 1 was pretty slow. But it picked up for me with Parts 2 and 3. I enjoyed the different perspectives. I was very excited to hear Lucian's POV in Part 3 but then found myself missing Emmett's POV. Overall, it's a story of forbidden love and finding your way back together despite all odds.. with a bit of magic.

[Josh Reno · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hands down the best book I've read in awhile! The romance was a trip, the story kept me guessing, and the excitement had my heart racing. Cant recommend this book enough!

[ti · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was nothing like how i thought it would be.

[MJ · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unbelievably captivating; I loved every moment of listening to this story unfold. The narrator is truly excellent as well, giving distinct voices to even minor supporting characters in a way that still feels honest and believable.

[Olivia White · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was fine. Some major plot holes. Main character needed to stand up for himself my god

[Trevor Davis · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The story takes twenty minutes to handle a description that should take three. The main character is so genuinely stupid that he resembles a Trumper. I don’t know how it’s even possible to write a character this dumb. After 7 chapters I simply couldn’t take it anymore. The protagonist makes stupid choice, after stupid choice, after stupid choice and the author won’t let him see something that’s right in front of his nose just to drag her story out more.

The story is interesting, however it’s so poorly written as to make it unreadable/listenable.

[Carrie Nevarez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Slight spoiler but more of a TW. This book had a very interesting premise and I enjoyed the story. I wasn’t prepared for the graphic animal cruelty or the serial rapist. Both are pretty short passages - but know that it’s there.

[tuusannuuska-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4,6 stars

I love the concept of book-binding in this world, in all it's myriad implications. I'm not usually a big fan of historical fiction, and this book didn't change my mind on that account, but I did very much enjoy this story despite the time period. Had it been present day (or future), I'd probably have loved it.

I don't generally like to read books that make me uncomfortable. I read predominantly for escapism, and books that cause more discomfort than anything else are usually the ones I end up DNFing. This book held enough intrigue and eventual hope that I kept on pushing, and I'm glad I did.

The thing I both liked and disliked was how open ended and/or abrupt the ends to different storylines were. Had it felt less intentional, it would probably have annoyed me more. I think the thing that most tipped the scales closer toward 5 rather than 4 stars was how much this book made me feel. Mostly negative emotions, but some positive ones as well, on occasion.

I have a feeling that this is one of those books that'll end up popping up in my thoughts from time to time for a while yet.

[Kevin Wilcox · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This is nothing but a male gay romance novel. You have been notified.

[Jan Martinez · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This Book is Super slow. in part. one.

If i could rate this book by parts. it would be .
Part 1. took me over a month to force myself to get through it. 1 star
Part 2. couldn't stop reading was like a different book. 2 stars
Part 3. I felt like why to much going on and didn't need it . 3. stars

. I really wanted to love this book and at times I truly did. but as a whole not so good.

[sriddell_8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this book!

Started off very slowly, but then really picked up steam about 1/3 of the way through.

This alternate universe looks very much like a historic version of rural England, with a twist of magical realism - books are dangerous. All "real" books are true stories, used to forget anything in your life you no longer want to remember. Or things that are too painful to remember.

Young Emmett Farmer discovers he has a special affiliation for books and binding, altering the entire course of his life.

[cygnet81 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I don’t know what the make of this. It was….grim. It’s a unique idea and well written but I hated the story.

[infjsarah · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was disappointed by this book. Great blurb and premise and the beginning at least was interesting. But it's another book where the fantasy element is just used as a hook for the actual story. It could have gone in so many interesting directions and just didn't! It obviously rocks the boat of many people but not me.

[belana-990668 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful book. I loved it. what imagination, what pictures, and what a wonderful love story.

Add to this, that it was absolutely beautifully narrated, and you have a book that can be recommended to anyone.

A perfect escape from today's world into a wholly different world.

[steve38 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Dear me why did I bother. Awful. A mixture of sub-Dickens, a tiny dash of Tolkien and a huge dollop of Mills and Boon. A love story tied up in ribbons of normalised witchcraft. Overlong, over sentimental, lacking in proper research into the book binding of the title. Never again.

[lara335 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4 stars :
* generous amounts of swirling snow
* mystery
* original conception
* star-crossed lovers

Beautifully written. And I loved the imaginative premise of this novel, that memories can be removed then saved within a book binding; and Bridget Collins masterfully illuminates all the ramifications of that conceit.

[ken5me5old5mate · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I would describe this as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets a gay Pride and Prejudice and I think I'll pretty much leave it at that

[geoffsc-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An intriguing story told in 3 layers or parts.
The concept of 'binding' was fascinating.
Not so keen on the LGBT portrayal.
I enjoyed the first part best.
The middle part was a bit drawn out.
The last part kept you reading to discover the outcome.

[klpm_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very interesting premise and I was always engaged but I would have enjoyed it more if it had been written as an adult novel and had taken some of the elements a bit farther. I think even teen readers would find parts a bit too tame.

[tiggywinkle-929224 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fine disquisition on the nature of and meaning of memory, tied up in a love story and set against a Dickensian style background. I really enjoyed this book.

[p1g5purt · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

First offering from a YA author and it’s very easy to see the join.