The bookbinder of jericho

The Bookbinder of Jericho
Pip Williams
Affirm Press 2023

Following on from the success of The Dictionary of Lost Words, Pip Williams continues her passion for historical fiction set in the early 1900s, England. In this story, we follow Peggy, an orphan and twin who works at the Jericho Press. Her sister, Maude, is likely (in today’s time) on the autistic spectrum. She is astute and wise, though struggles with communication. For this reason, Peggy feels bound to look after her.

As Belgium refugees disembark trains in Peggy’s hometown, and the men she works with enlist to fight in the war, women are asked to take on what was always considered ‘Men’s work’. Peggy, a seasoned bookworm, now more than ever wants to study and share the same rights that the more privileged of her gender, and all men, have access to.

In both The Bookbinder of Jericho and Williams’ companion novel, there are strong themes of equality, with regular mention of The Suffragettes. Williams gives voice to the women of the time who had none.
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The Bookbinder of Jericho is both a romantic and fierce tale, that has you looking at books and literature in a new light.