The Bookbinder of Jericho cover art

The Bookbinder of Jericho

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The Bookbinder of Jericho

By: Pip Williams
Narrated by: Pippa Bennett-Warner
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

What is lost when knowledge is withheld?

Oxford, 1914. When the the young men are drawn away to fight, it is the women who must keep going. Twin sisters Peggy and Maude work in the bindery at Oxford University Press in Jericho. Peggy is intelligent, ambitious and dreams of studying - but is often reminded that her job is to bind the books, not read them. Maude, meanwhile, is extraordinary and vulnerable. She wants nothing more than what she has, and Peggy must watch over her.

When refugees arrive from devastated Belgium, it sends ripples through the community and through the sisters' lives. Peggy begins to see the possibility of another future: one where she can use her intellect and not just her hands. But as war and illness reshape her world, it is love, and the responsibility that comes with it, that threaten to hold her back...

Evocative, subversive and rich with unforgettable characters, The Bookbinder of Jericho is a story about women and knowledge: who gets to make it, who gets to use it, and what is lost when it is withheld...

©2023 Pip Williams (P)2023 Penguin Audio 20th Century Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction World War I Heartfelt

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All stars
Most relevant  
I loved everything. I was born just after the Second World War and while I thought I knew some history, this brought 1914-1920 so alive. I cried and laughed and was sad along with everyone in the book. I have read many books in my life but this was on a different level to everything. Thank you to Pip and Pippa for this extraordinary experience.

The reader disappeared and I heard only the people.

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Having listened to Pip Williams’ previous book I could not wait to dive into this story. It didn’t disappoint. I loved the perfect blend of the history and human story of the Press, it’s staff and Oxford at that difficult time. The narration was excellent and never jarred or became irritating. I cannot recommend this book enough, absolutely wonderful.

Captivating

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I loved this book, bringing to life a woman’s perspective of life in Oxford during World War One. Education/ working class / woman / men juxtaposed. This history needs to be heard.

Absorbing fresh perspective of world war 1,

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I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t resist completing it but now I want more of the characters. The writing is so expressive and captivating and the narration is superb, captivating.

Highly recommend. Thoroughly enjoyed this story.

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Sympathetically read this story kept me involved throughout. No fireworks needed to tell about normal everyday life during WW1 and the value of each person involved in this small community. The evolving and understanding of relationships are well defined throughout.

Very interesting

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This is a fabulous book, evoking the horrors of the Great War alongside the slow emancipation of women politically and educationally. But all this is told through wonderfully warm and believable characters. Loved it.

Wonderful, sadness and joy in equal measure

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It drew me in and gradually revealed its strength and message. Interesting and inspiring on many levels especially if you know Oxford.

Slow build

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Beautifully written and narration was sublime, would recommend in a heartbeat. Will look out for more Pip Williams books in the future.

Storytelling at its best

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I learned a lot from this book while being engulfed in the story. Beautiful to learn about WWI from a female perspective, I could relate to it a lot more due to the “dailyness” of the story. I also just listened to the author’s note and it is very interesting how the story and details came to be. The voice of the narrator goes perfectly with the characters. Sad that I finished!

Perfect voice-narrative combination

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Great story well written, and impeccably narrated. It reminded me of Tracey Chevalier, A Single Thread. Tells the story of the bindary girls who worked in Jericho, near Oxford, in the years before and during WW1. Friendship, romance, family ties and social change. A really wonderful listen.

Perfect balance of 'historical faction'

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