The Bookbinder of Jericho BY Pip Williams

In The Bookbinder’s Daughter, set against the backdrop of World War I, Pip Williams crafts a richly immersive tale of ambition, love, and the quest for knowledge. The story unfolds in 1914, a time when Britain’s young men are called to the front lines, leaving women to shoulder the nation’s responsibilities. Among them are Peggy and Maude, twin sisters living on a narrow boat in Oxford. They work at the university press’s book bindery, where Peggy’s intellect and ambitions clash with her assigned role of merely binding books, while Maude is content with her simple but satisfying work.

Peggy’s mind often drifts to the other side of Walton Street, where the female students of Somerville College enjoy access to a wealth of knowledge that seems tantalizingly out of reach. Her ambitions spark when refugees from war-torn Belgium arrive, creating ripples through the Oxford community and offering Peggy a glimpse of a future where she can educate herself and explore her potential.

However, Peggy’s path is complicated by her deepening affection for a Belgian soldier and the responsibilities that come with their relationship. As war and illness disrupt her world, Peggy must navigate the challenges of pursuing her dreams while grappling with the constraints imposed by her circumstances and her love for the soldier.

The Bookbinder’s Daughter explores themes of knowledge and access—who controls it, who benefits from it, and the often-overlooked truths that lie in the margins. Williams delves into a seldom-seen aspect of history through the eyes of women, offering a poignant reflection on the intersection of personal aspiration and historical upheaval.