The Binding by Bridget Collins

Book Review: The Binding

Clever, captivating, and unforgettable (with a touch of magic!), The Binding by Bridget Collins is a wonderful story. Full of devastating love, mystery, and heartbreak, this book keeps the reader wanting more. 

The novel surrounds the practice of “book binding,” but in this case, binding one’s memories to books in order to forget upsetting, painful, or embarrassing experiences. In the story, books are considered unacceptable to own or read, unless one is in the dark, book trade business (those who collect or sell books from binders). Proper binders (such as the one that Emmett Farmer becomes the apprentice for) store the books in a vault, never to be touched by others. If the books are burned, the memories will return to those who chose to forget them (if they are still alive).

The two main characters, Emmett Farmer and Lucian Darnay, come from completely opposite backgrounds, but meet unexpectedly and form an unlikely friendship. Throughout the novel, they must come to terms with the mysterious trials and tribulations that they experienced in the past, and determine whether to make peace with their pasts. Throughout the many challenges that they encounter, they must continue to have courage in the face of adversity.

There are many dark and devastating plot twists, but in the end, I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be compelling and as I was reading it, I kept thinking, “I must find out what happens next!” That’s when you know that you’re reading a good book! I definitely recommend this novel.