Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital copy of this wonderful historical fiction novel by the author of The Dictionary of Lost Words, Pip Williams - 4.5 stars rounded up!
It is 1914, the war draws the young men of Britain away to fight. Meanwhile, the women must keep the nation running. Peggy and Maude, twin sisters who live on a narrow boat in Oxford and work in the bindery at the university press. Peggy has always been told that her job is to bind the books, not read them, but she reads whenever she can and takes home any rejected books. She dreams of going across the street to Oxford's Somerville College to study in their library. However, she feels responsible for Maude after their mother's death, because Maude has challenges. When Belgium refugees arrive, Peggy's world seems to expand and she sees more possibilities for her life. She falls in love with a wounded Belgian soldier and her dream of Oxford suddenly seems a possibility.
This is another meticulously researched story by the author and will transport you to the past. If you love books (and of course you do!), the bookbinding history is so interesting. But this story focuses on education, its availability depending on class, and its worth. While men are characters in this story, it's the women left behind whose stories are told in this book - and they are fascinating. We see the generosity of souls, the acceptance of others, and always the work behind the scenes that is without glory. Be sure to read the afterword. Highly recommended!
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