The Binding: A Novel

Written by:
Bridget Collins
Narrated by:
Carl Prekopp

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
15
Narrator
8
Release Date
April 2019
Duration
15 hours 31 minutes
Summary
Proclaimed as “truly spellbinding,” a “great fable” that “functions as transporting romance” by the Guardian, the runaway #1 international bestseller arrives in America.

''A rich, gothic entertainment that explores what books have trapped inside them and reminds us of the power of storytelling. Spellbinding.” — TRACY CHEVALIER

Imagine you could erase grief.
Imagine you could remove pain.
Imagine you could hide the darkest, most horrifying secret.
Forever.

Young Emmett Farmer is working in the fields when a strange letter arrives summoning him away from his family. He is to begin an apprenticeship as a Bookbinder—a vocation that arouses fear, superstition, and prejudice amongst their small community, but one neither he nor his parents can afford to refuse.

For as long as he can recall, Emmett has been drawn to books, even though they are strictly forbidden. Bookbinding is a sacred calling, Seredith informs her new apprentice, and he is a binder born. Under the old woman’s watchful eye, Emmett learns to hand-craft the elegant leather-bound volumes. Within each one they will capture something unique and extraordinary: a memory. If there’s something you want to forget, a binder can help. If there’s something you need to erase, they can assist. Within the pages of the books they create, secrets are concealed and the past is locked away. In a vault under his mentor’s workshop rows upon rows of books are meticulously stored.

But while Seredith is an artisan, there are others of their kind, avaricious and amoral tradesman who use their talents for dark ends—and just as Emmett begins to settle into his new circumstances, he makes an astonishing discovery: one of the books has his name on it. Soon, everything he thought he understood about his life will be dramatically rewritten.

An unforgettable novel of enchantment, mystery, memory, and forbidden love, The Binding is a beautiful homage to the allure and life-changing power of books—and a reminder to us all that knowledge can be its own kind of magic.
Reviews
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Tessa M.

The narration is exceptional- the roles played really transported me.

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Anonymous

Misleading description. The order of the book is terrible. This a romance but a poor one. Slow book.

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Carol M.

The idea of binding memories (and the negative consequences to the one being bound) is a well thought out idea. Who we are is the combination of all our experiences, and we would not be the same person without them. The detailed descriptions Ms Collins gave throughout the story brought the people and their surroundings to life. The only reason that I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that the ending was somewhat unsatisfying. I like to see the bad guy get their due, not leave it to my imagination what they will have to deal with as a result of the events of the story. The narration seemed flat and lackluster, but only in the first few chapters. Don't give up because there is a reason for the way it was read that way.

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Mark H.

One of the best books I have read in a long time. The narration is fantastic and adds to the drama and suspense through the book. The world created by Ms Collins I felt was akin to the Harry Potter world in that there’s so much more happening beneath the surface. Cannot recommend more highly...

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Debra B.

I had no idea what this book was going to be about. Interesting concept. This book kept me spell 'bound'. HA! The narrators voice was so different. I liked it.

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