The Binding, Bridget Collins's first adult novel, is a book full of wonderful magic and searing heartache. A special hybrid of fantasy and historical fiction, it is a sumptuous and emotional affair which is substantial in its sincerity and exquisite in its writing. The premise, that memories you wished to be forgotten can be bound and effectively erased from a person's life, is a unique one and one I was on board with from the beginning. But this original concept is not the end of the story as it brings together two characters, Emmett and Lucian, in a beautiful, heartfelt love story. Two lovers that cross the class divide, with one being rich and one poor, but also many other divides of the time period.

Collins's world is lush, richly imagined and one I really didn't want to leave. This is a breathtakingly spectacular read and rates as one of the first fantastic reading experiences of 2019. The plot is a slow burn for the first half of the novel, which I enjoyed, and from then on it gathered pace a little. The perfect pacing is matched by the equally perfect storytelling ability of the author; it's rare you come across a more exceptional portrayal of time and place. An utterly charming and nuanced story with all the makings of a bestseller that captivated me from first page to last. Stunning!

Many thanks to The Borough Press for an ARC.

A difficult book to review without giving anything away. However,...
This is a story in three parts.
In the first part we get to know Emmett, the son of a farmer. Emmett has obviously been very ill for a long period and is only slowly getting back to being able to work on the farm again. A lot of work did not get done because he could not help his father during the previous months. Then he receives a letter asking him to become an apprentice to a (book)binder. Books are something unpleasant in this world. However, his parents do not think the request can be refused, so he goes. The binder is an old woman and she teaches him the physical aspects of binding books which he learns slowly. However, it is never explained what exactly "binding" is.
After an unpleasant incident, the old binder falls ill and dies and Emmett is taken to the next town by her son who is also a binder. He is then sent to do a "binding" and when he says that he does not know anything about this, he is told just to go and do it anyway. That is when we find out what 'binding' actually entails.
At the house where he is doing the binding, he meets Lucian, a young man of about his own age, whom he remembers having met at the binder's house. At that point, he also comes across a book with his own name. As he cannot take it and run away, he throws it into the fireplace where it burns and releases his memories.
In part 2, we find out what happened before Emmett fell ill and what his relationship to Lucian is.
In part 3, after a few additional complications, Emmett helps Lucian find the book with his memories. Lucian initially resists getting his memories back, in case there is something horrible there, but when he finally does, he is happy about it.
We leave them at this point, but given the family Lucian comes from, a happy-ever-after seems extremely unlikely.

The book deals with the idea that a particular memory can be taken away from a person and locked up. However, the person then feels that something is missing and it somehow changes or destroys their personality. Considering that we normally forget a lot of things that have happened to us, I think that is a debatable proposition.
The book itself is well written. However, I almost gave up somewhere in Part 1 as I was getting quite annoyed with it. There were lots of hints, but nothing was ever spelt out.

I received a free digital advance review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Such a gorgeous book!

I adore the concept that you can have bad memories taken away by being "bound", then put away in a book and effectively removed forever. I've only come across this as an idea in the film "Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind", and Bridget Collins weaves a magical tale around it.

The craft itself is absolutely fascinating and described beautifully, in a story that combines history, myth, magic and fantasy. The story itself pulls you in and under, I could not stop thinking about it and was eager to find spare moments to carry on reading it.

I now wish that I could undergo being "bound" myself so I could read this book again!

Highly recommend.

I received this from the publisher via netgalley. What beautiful writing and an unusual concept involving books. I refer of course to the idea of books created to erase memories in a process called binding. Quite a horrifying process when misused.
Excellent world building and brilliant character portrayal. A gradual unfolding of events tangled by the loss of memories reveal an abuse of binding and an understandable aversion by some people to avoid going anywhere near a book. How frightening is that to a book lover.
Nevertheless I digress, I found this book extremely readable and am definitely looking forward to more from this author. No spoilers from me. My advice is to put it in on your reading list. I must also mention the beautiful cover.

My thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for an ARC.

A book about books just not books as we know them.

Imagine a world where you can erase painful memories. A binders job is to store these memories in book, not to be read but to be protected & preserved. Emmett Farmer is summoned as an apprentice to a bindery but before he can fully begin to learn the secrets tragedy strikes & Emmett’s world is turned upside down...

This is love story at its heart, entwined with secrets, betrayals & magic.

A brilliant read. A dark story with a plot that flows vey easily. The characters develop in their own way throughout the book. Recommended.

I have seen quite a lot of publicity about this book but I am afraid I was disappointed. From the synopsis I thought I would really enjoy it but the subject matter was really dark and depressing.

Fantasy novel set in 19th century England - quite good

I’m in two minds about this novel. It’s set in 19th century England where bookbinders bind people’s memories into books so that they can forget unpleasant memories. That’s as far as the fantasy element goes. The rest is about Emmett’s apprenticeship as a binder, the people with whom he comes into contact and the effect of binding on all of them. There’s sexual content and some violence and loads of description through similes and comparisons. The characters are well fleshed-out and it’s quite a long read. True fantasy lovers may be disappointed but those who enjoy the latest “magic realism “ type of book may enjoy it.

I finished this book unsure of how to rate it, there were a lot of elements that I really enjoyed and some that didn't sit so well with me, I ended up giving it three stars on Goodreads but it's more leaning between three and four depending on what you focus on. I'll try to explain in this review but forgive me if I seem to topple between love and slight dislike!

The Magic. The worldbuilding in this book is clear in the summary, books are captured memories, taken from their previous owners and bound up either with love or with a lack thereof depending on the kind of binder you go and see. I loved this idea. Bridget Collins manages to write one of these 'books about books' in a world where books aren't exactly revered, instead they are either kept secret and safe in the vaults of binders or peddled on the street for a fee. I loved the analogy to people selling their teeth or hair (or more than that) but instead, they are selling their memories. I thought it was interesting that very rarely does a binding take place actually on the page, I think I'm right in saying that Emmet performs one binding in the whole book? In some ways, I was dissapointed not to find out more about the system of binding and the magic of it all, but I can see how it wouldn't have fit in with the character or the plot as such. 

The Romance. I spent the first half of this book (perhaps just the second third) convinced I was being queer-baited, I thought I was reading too much into it, that it was going to be something other than what I wanted and that I would end up cross. But it wasn't! Rarely am I so delighted when two characters kiss. Of course, I then spent the remainder of the book waiting for one of their tragic demises, because what else have I come to expect from historical fantasy? I won't spoil the ending for you, because I think this is a book worth reading for yourself, but I was not annoyed at how the romance played out. 

Treatment of Women. I think this was the sticking point for me. I don't think a single woman in this book has anything nice happen to her at any point whatsoever. It is possible I am misremembering, but as far as I recall the general consensus among the wealthy in this world is that you can treat your female household staff as you like and then you just bind up their memories until you're fed up with them. I will admit, it's entirely plausible that this kind of thing would happen were this magic real, and it's deliberately uncomfortable to read, but the other women, who amount to more than household staff, have an equally rough time of it! I would have appreciated a female character who had more of an impact on Emmet's life through means other than being hurt in some way? 

For those concerned, any assault (save one, which I think was written as a consensual encounter rather than not) takes place off-page and is more heavily alluded to. 

That third point was what stopped me enjoying this story as much as I wanted to. I think the writing itself is very good, I think the story is well crafted, the pacing makes for really interesting reading. It's something not everyone enjoys, but I personally like getting to read chapters worth of characters memories (I'm reminded of Daughter of Smoke and Bone) and this book makes that particularly heartwrenching. 

I certainly got to that stage where I couldn't stop turning the pages because I had to know what happened to these characters, so evidently, I thought this book was compelling. With just a few added tweaks I think I would have absolutely loved this book, and perhaps it suffered from being part of a chain of books in which women were treated in a less than ideal manner? If you are at all interested, I would suggest giving this a read, it is a difficult book at times but the ending is worth it. 

My rating: 3 (3.5?)/5 stars

I received a free digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! The premise was intriguing - a binder has the ability to remove someone's memories; but should it be done? The setting was gothic and dark and I was swept away into the world instantly.

The time is probably the second half of the 19th century; the place an alternative England where binders are people with the skill to take unwanted memories away and bind them in a book with your name in, and books are therefore shunned by righteous people.

Emmett Farmer is summoned as an apprentice by one such binder after a long feverish, delirious illness. He knows books are forbidden, but not why, and does not understand why his parents are horror-struck at the summons but feel they have no option but to let him go. He travels to the binder’s house in the remote marshes, and sets about learning the trade of creating beautiful bindings. His mistress, meanwhile, reveals that each binding will protect the memories of a client who has chosen to forget something unbearable. Books are kept safe in a vault, and must never be destroyed as this would bring the lost memories flooding back, with who knows what consequences?

Of course, in such a world there are always those who seek to exploit, and there is a brisk trade not only in books belonging to people who have died, but also the forbidden commerce in books belonging to those still living, not to mention the fakes - novels - where authors seek to emulate true memories.

And meanwhile, Emmett is dealing with disturbing dreams, featuring fire and a young man called Lucian Darnay who turns up one day seeking to be bound. When Emmett’s mistress dies and her books and apprentice are taken over by her estranged son, Emmett and Lucian’s paths are destined to cross again, and a forgotten story revived.

Anything more would be a spoiler, but I will say that this is a wonderful slice of Victorian Gothic, well worth reading. It succeeds in doing what Sarah Perry in The Essex Serpent tried for but didn’t quite achieve. The atmosphere of superstition, dastardliness, mystery, illicit feelings and a touch of the supernatural is brilliantly achieved and never slips up, Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens rolled into one. It was the perfect spooky Christmas read, highly recommended for a bit of stylishly done escapism.

It was an absolute pleasure to read the Binding by Bridget Collins. It is a beautiful fantasy book that reads like well researched and authentic historical fiction. The idea that memories can be erased was fascinating, and the dark side of those memories being bound as books and then sold to unscrupulous and abusive rich men was shocking and heart-breaking. I really enjoyed the book, which at its heart is a story of love and hope. I definitely recommend it. (And I think it would make a great film.)
Thank you to #NetGalley to #HarperCollins and to Bridget Collins for the opportunity to read #The Binding.

I persevered to the end of The Binding by Bridget Collins but really I lost interest about half way through. What to me started as an intriguing and magical tale became quite predictable.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this amazing book

really enjoyed this book, the fear of owning a book and then becoming a book binder was intriguing and this book took me on a whirlwind of a journey

emmett is just a farm lad and nobody he knows owns a book or even reads from a book so when he is summoned to be trained to be a book binder, in fact when he once did possess a book he father beat him...

and the journey that emmett goes on when he becomes this book binder.. well you just cant imagine..it makes owning and reading a book that more fascinating

there are a few dark bits in this book but on the whole a fascinating read, kept me glued

will be keeping an eye out for this author

I enjoyed the premise of this book and having really enjoyed the film "eternal sunshine of the spotless mind" where people voluntarily have their memories erased I was interested in the concept of "binding" and loss. However, I didn't feel the author quite lived up to expectation for me and I wasn't convinced by the story in the end.

The binding at the centre of this neo-Gothic story set in an alternative pre-industrial Yorkshire is a magical act in which someone takes away painful memories from a tormented individual, writes those memories down in the form of a narrative, binds the story into a book and locks it away in a vault, leaving the subject with no recollection of the original painful experience or of the binding process.

It's not an entirely straightforward premise. I struggled with the idea that an entire book could be written by hand in an afternoon. However, it has allowed the author the imaginative space to generate a powerful story of transgressive love and to tell it rather cleverly from the points of view of the individuals concerned, both before and after their memories have been taken away. As a result, the reader watches in painful fascination as the characters discover themselves by peeling away layers of misunderstanding

Bridget Collins writes beautifully with an almost a cinematic attention to detail and the kind of narrative patience that one rarely sees these days. Atmospheric and provocative, with a powerful sense of place, The Binding is a story of love struggling to recognise itself in a society concerned only with the protection of privilege.

This book was not what I was expecting, I thought it would be a lot more fantasy than it was. I was intrigued by the book because I had heard lots of people rave about it and then I saw the cover and was basically in love!

It started really slow, had pacing issues and took me a long time to actually get into the story. I often had to put it down and come back to it to keep reading it. But I did find the concept of what books are in this world really interesting. It’s not like books we know and it made me want to know more. I was initially drawn in, thinking that it would be amazing to have a painful memory taken away but as I read the story it made me reconsider as it leaves a void in the person. The story was interesting but it just wasn’t a book that kept me hooked. I felt the different storylines didn’t quite merge together well and felt a little disjointed, with the fantasy element taking a back seat to the romance in the second half of the book.

I feel like this book wasn’t for me but I know that others will definitely enjoy this.

Spoiler free review.

The idea that books are taboo and the means to erase memories is a wonderful concept that carries the themes of memory and true love contrasted with deceit, betrayed hearts and minds and social injustice throughout the pages of the novel.
The non linear narrative works exceptionally well in this book, and having finished the second section I started to re-think all that I had read in the first section and was tempted to return to the start of the book and re-read it to see if I experienced it differently with my new knowledge.Well, perhaps I would have done if I could see the pages through my flood of tears!
There are no shocking twists in this book, and I had guessed the direction in which it was heading, but the emotional pull of the novel really cast a spell on me and I enjoyed every last minute of it.

I eagerly await the next book from this talented author and my thanks go to the publishers and Net Galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Imagine a world where books are frowned upon, where if you read one, you were automatically judged as a particular type of person. The likelihood is that if you're reading this review, you wonder what sort of world that would be, and more likely, you'd realise you'd be ostracised immediately, because after all, the probability is you love books.

But what could be in a book that carries such judgment, criticism and scorn? Not just a person's memories... but a part of a person themselves.

This book had great potential, I was spellbound from the beginning. I'm not saying that by the end I was disappointed, I just felt that it became a bit predictable. I felt it could have been more. Both Emmet and Lucian are great characters, rich, full of depth and full of life (well mostly...). The story is clever, rich and intriguing, but I still feel there could have been more.

It's an interesting premise though, would you put part of yourself into a book if you could free yourself? It's something that has been playing on my mind since I've finished the book. Which for me, is always a good sign of a good book.

I don't think I've ever been drawn into a book as quickly as with this one. Such a simple beginning yet it had me immersed in the world immediately. I wanted to know more about books, about binding, about everything and where it would all lead....
Then just when I thought I was sure where the book would go, the author switched gears and sped off in another direction taking me on a totally different journey.

I can't say too much without spoiling it but if you want to soak into an interesting tale with love at its core, you should definitely check this one out.

What an extraordinarily mesmerising tale! With its unique concept, this book is spell binding. The tone of the book changes course midway but loses none of its magic. With questions of morality sprinkled throughout this book is thought provoking and entertaining from start to finish.