The Bookbinder of Jericho By Pip Williams

In The Bookbinder’s Daughter, Pip Williams crafts a moving narrative set in 1914 Oxford, where the outbreak of World War I compels women to step into roles traditionally held by men. The story follows twin sisters Peggy and Maude, who reside on a narrow boat and work in the university press’s bindery.

Peggy, an ambitious and bright woman, has always been confined to the physical task of binding books, with her intellectual desires stifled. As she works, her thoughts drift to the female students at Oxford’s Somerville College, who have access to a wealth of knowledge that seems just out of her reach. In contrast, Maude, who cherishes the simple pleasure of her job and the camaraderie of her fellow bindery workers, is extraordinary yet vulnerable. Peggy feels a deep responsibility to protect her sister.

The arrival of Belgian refugees fleeing the ravages of war creates waves in the Oxford community and profoundly impacts the sisters' lives. Peggy starts to envision a different future for herself—one where she can pursue education and harness her intellect. However, as war and illness alter her circumstances, Peggy’s growing affection for a Belgian soldier and the responsibilities that accompany it pose significant obstacles.

The Bookbinder’s Daughter delves into themes of knowledge and access—examining who has the power to create and disseminate it and how certain truths might be obscured. Williams, acclaimed for her bestselling The Dictionary of Lost Words, continues to offer insightful explorations of history through the lens of women’s experiences, revealing the often-overlooked aspects of the past.