A parallel 19th century world where books are very different from what they are to us. Really well-thought out and gripping, although could have done with a bit of a sharper ending. Really enjoyed reading it.

Really enjoyed this book, completely different to anything that i have read before.
Looking forward to the next book by this author.
5 stars

I am so happy to have been provided an arc of this novel. It is such a brilliantly written text with wonderfully complex characters and an amazing plot. Thank you so much for providing this to me

The Binding is a powerful and engrossing novel with a memorable premise. Emmett Farmer works on his family's farm, fighting a strange illness. When a letter comes summoning him to become a binder's apprentice and learn how to bind books—something surrounded with superstition and fear—it feels like they're trying to get rid of him. But what he learns is that book binding isn't a simple craft: it is allowing people to forget memories, to bind them away in books regardless of what they are. And when he finds a book with his name on, the question is, what has he forgotten? And who is the strange young man who got a binding just after Emmett started at the binding workshop?

This is a genre-defying book that feels at first like a kind of historical fantasy, and turns into a love story and a look at the power of forgetting and the dangers of being able to do so. Split into three sections, the narrative is carefully unfurled in a way that makes it heartbreaking, but with the hope of a happy ending. Collins does well to give enough detail to move the narrative forward, whilst constantly holding back and teasing details. It was difficult to put down due to this and the need for the circumstance-defying love story in its centre to be resolved and to see Emmett and the man he has forgotten properly reunited. Emmett's relationship with his sister was a highlight too, a well-written version of bickering yet loving siblings who find something come between them.

The Binding didn't sound like the kind of book I'd usually find this gripping and the opening felt more light historical fantasy than I would normally pick up, but it quickly became a riveting story of love and injustice. The concept of the book binding was well worked out, but there was never a need to explain how it fit into the world; instead, Emmett's story was the focal point, which made it emotional and character-driven. It is a fascinating look at what would happen if people could chose to forget certain memories, the ways in which it could be exploited, and the lengths to go to get those memories back.

A magical and unusual book that's reminiscent of the gothic genre of the 19th century. It's full of twists and turns throughout and covers themes of fantasy, homosexuality and social class. Gripping right to the very end, this book stands out from anything else that's out at the moment and truly touches readers' hearts, minds and imaginations. Would recommend to others.

I loved the imaginative concept of the book and as a result went in to this story with fairly high expectations.
I was not disappointed.
Bridget Collins has a beautiful, evocative writing style that in "The Binding" spun a magical tale that felt as real as can be. The world itself is truly captivating and the writing meant i felt as though i could be part of it too.

This is a really well told story that had well developed plot points and characters. I love it when flashbacks are done well in a story and these were excellent. The pacing of this story was great and i was desperate to get to the end to see how everything turned out.

I really enjoyed this and would definitely recommend.

I love this book. Had to buy myself a copy as it has such a beautiful cover. A perfect example of magical realism with an unusual love story thrown in. Looking forward to the next from this author.

4.5 stars rounded up. A world where your memories can be bound; masters binding maids’ memories so they can treat them how they want; illegal trade of people’s books (of memories); a world where novels are ‘fake books’; a world ripe for abuse of such a magic; where the impoverished and destitute sell their memories for cash.This really was an interesting and equally horrifying concept to me. This is also a love story and one of rediscovery. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

The Binding...what can I say. This book was brilliant. It was really captivating I was a little sad once I'd finished it. It follows the story mainly of Emmett and Lucian and it is written in 3 parts which I really liked. Very well written and a real joy to read. I haven't read a story like it before. Brilliant.

Are we more than the sum of our memories? If we have unpleasant memories taken away do we become less than we were or could have been? Thes questions and more are explored in this jewelled tapestry of a novel. where unwelcome memories can be removed and stored in a book. It's also a story of love between two men which is tenderly and sensitively described. Highly recommended.

Bridget Collins’ The Binding is one book you’ll lust after for your collection with its beautifully finished dust jacket and intricately designed book boards, holding within them the promise that this young man’s story is no ordinary apprentice’s tale.

The Binding is a remarkably accomplished novel in which Bridget Collins performs some dark alchemy of her own to meld the power of magic and memories with the traditional hand craft of bookbinding and sees a young man’s apprenticeship transform into his calling, the integrity of which he’ll be forced to question when he discovers how others seek to abuse the secrets it hides.

The Binding is split into three sections: the first of these covers Emmett’s apprenticeship, initially in a remote bookbinding workshop on the edge of the marshes and later in the town of Castleford. I couldn’t get enough of the opening half where Emmett learns his craft and almost felt wrenched out of it, grieving a character I’d grown fond of but who was to play no further part.

When the second section threw me into the past, and back into someone’s memories, I once again felt disoriented and it took a little while to right myself. In part, this sensation comes about because Bridget Collins draws me in so deep with her spellbinding storytelling but I also can’t help feeling that she deliberately sets out to upset the equilibrium. It mirrors that felt by Emmett as more of the mystery surrounding his apprenticeship and the memories of others is unlocked. Each time there’s this shift, it throws new light on what’s happening, and ultimately sets up the conflict which plays out in the finale.

The Binding is outstandingly good: a magical mix of mystery, quest, adventure and love story. As an apprentice, Emmett faces a real test of his courage and integrity, and is pitted against those in a position of influence, power and wealth. But this is far more than a power struggle between rich and poor, or even good and evil. It’s also a thought-provoking and intriguing take on how we deal in memories, the vulnerability they open up in us, and whether it is better to experience them or simply lock them away.

Thank you to netgalley for the chance to read The Binding.
A very good story idea that to me could of been executed better.

I loved the concept of this novel, that books bind people's worst memories and are considered by many a sin. I was instantly drawn to this idea and the book did not disappoint.

Part 1 - Emmett Farmer spends his days tending his family farm with his parents and sister Alta. That is until the day he is carted off unexpectedly to become a binder's apprentice. His family are shamed but they have no say in the matter - Emmett has been summoned and he must obey. Having no knowledge in the trade, he cannot understand why he has been chosen. He ends up out in the marshes where his mistress Seredith insists he was born to be a binder.

Part 2 - Going back in time to the farm, rich boy Lucian Darney shows up and steals Alta's heart. As the big brother, Emmett is overprotective and detests Lucian spending time with Alta. He tags along on all the farming jobs and becomes an extension to the family, much to Emmett's fury. When asked why he is in the area, he reveals that his father sent him to stay with him uncle - it was either that or an asylum.

Part 3 - Upon finding a book with his name on it, Emmett is left speechless. When the memories return (in part 2), everything he thought he knew about himself is turned upside down.

This book was such a compelling read. Although the beginning was slow, I really enjoyed learning about the book binding trade and thought it all added to the story. Part two was my favourite where we learn about the memories that Emmett had bound. There was a lot of vivid imagery, especially when describing the biting winter months and I was able to visualise each part in my head clearly. I loved how certain aspects of the era (i.e. opinions on same sex relationships) overlapped with the magic - this made it realistic as opposed to far-fetched. The two male protagonists were easy to connect to and made a refreshing change from other stereotypical main characters. The ending was perfect for me, although the last chapter or two felt overly intense. A fantastic story though brimming with imagination and magic to get lost in.

This wasn't what I was expecting at all but I really enjoyed it. Once I'd got into the story I raced through as I was desperate to know what happened.

The first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover - it is beautiful - one of the best I have seen in a long time. Second thing was the title - elusive yet intriguing.
The synopsis of this book was attractive in that it dealt with books and it had a fantasy side to it. I loved the premise that memories could be written in books. I hadn't realise that it would be so dark however so that was a nice twist.
The characters are well rounded and even the ones you hate are believable and realistic.
I don't want to give away any spoilers but the central two characters have a beautiful connection and the settings of the book are brought to life with ease by the author.
I wouldn't rave about this book but it was a good story and I would read more by the author in the future.

Emmett has been summoned to be a binder, after a long and mysterious illness. His family have always been against binding, but he doesn't understand why - only after some time does he discover that it's because memories can be bound into books, taken away from their creator, and that the gift is born. His master bookbinder takes her art seriously and doesn't sell the memories, but others are less scrupulous and eventually Emmett not only discovers that there is a book with his name on it but that it's been taken out of his hands and sold. When it's destroyed, his memories flood back and everything changes.

It's a very simple premise, and very well told. Emmett and his sister are engaging characters, even when he's acting in a way which will hurt her. The world-building of how the business of selling memories would work is also very well done, how it can be both useful and hugely exploitative. I really enjoyed it!

Really enjoyed this book. It took me a little while at the beginning to adapt myself to the story as I was - like Emmet - confused at first with so many unanswered questions, but the story is intricately woven and becomes more and more spell'binding' as it progresses. The tale is in the remembering, and is both gruesome and disturbing at times. The concept of binding memories, locking away emotions, is fascinating but at the same time terrifying. Imagine if you could bind away your memories in a book – once written and bound you forget. You can leave the bad behind. Is that good? Or would it empty you of that which makes you who you are? The story is beautifully written and the theme of love and loss intricately woven with lessons in pain and shame.

The concept was brilliant, people are born as Binders. They take peoples bad memories and bind them in books so that they forget them. Some people view books as wrong and in the past there was a crusade and Binders were persecuted. So far really great, but then it dissolves into a budding romance between a Binder and another guy.
A well written book but could have been so much more, the magic of book binding was set aside in favour of an illicit love story and sadly it just didn't grip me.

The Binding is a curious tale about a young man apprenticed to a binder in which people's memories are bound into books, to be locked away or in some cases sold. The author creates a world that seems real despite the unusual premise and there is an almost gothic quality to the novel.

When I first heard about this book I was quite excited to read this ... so I even pre-ordered the book too as I the art worked look amazing and really drew me in before I even read one word .....

I could never imagine a world where books are forbidden, Books are not just books but people get bound to them by forgetting their memories .... and then they are stored away never to remember. But what happens when Emmett becomes a binder and then finds out he was bound.

The book is put into three parts Emmett's story, The past and Lucian's story which I found to be very well done and made the book adapt to a whole another level that I never expected. The whole book was so well written and I was so glad I was able to review this and I even bought a copy for a bookshelf so I can admire it for many years to come.

thank you!