The Binding 5 stars

[Joanne]

The Binding 5 stars

Well, this was another WOW, not what I was expecting book!

Emmett Farmer is just that-a farmer. Until one day a letter arrives and he is summoned to apprentice with a Bookbinder. Emmett lives in a world where books are shunned, as every book is a memory (or two, or three) of a real person. Emmett has always been forbidden to read books and now his parents insist he takes the apprenticeship. He cannot understand why they are making him go.

Only those born to Bind may become Binders....and not all of them are good people.

I will admit, the story was a little slow in the beginning and it also felt as though the author was telling me more than I really needed or wanted to know, about a lot of characters. As the story built, I was enraptured with the tale, caught up in the lives of everyone and in awe of the writer. I am hoping she left the tale opened-ended to write a sequel.

Although this book is pegged fantasy, for me it was more magical realism-a genre I usually do not care for. Do not shy away from the book because you do not like fantasy. There is something you might call magic, entwined in the story, but that is not the soul of it. It is a coming of age story, a mystery, and a beautiful piece of work.

This is Bridget Collins first foray into Adult Fiction. I am looking forward to her next.

Content Warning There is sexual abuse, and dark content throughout.

[Joi]

I've never heard of this but the premise sounds similar to The Giver. Did you see any similarities?

[Joanne]

Joi wrote: "I've never heard of this but the premise sounds similar to The Giver. Did you see any similarities?"

I have not read the Giver, Joi. The GR blurb does not tell me much, so I looked at the reviews and from the info I got there, I would say no. I am going to put what could be a spoiler for some(I think you really get this much from the publication blurb) so you understand why (view spoiler)[The memories that are taken are awful things-ex:husband has an affair, wife finds out, husband has her memory cleansed of it (hide spoiler)]

[Joi]

Interesting, I'm not a magical realism or fantasy person-but as you mentioned in your review, perhaps is a great option of either of those tags come up for me!

[Holly R W]

Hi Joanne, I have read some fantasy books and some books which involve magical realism. I'm very interested in your statement that you usually prefer fantasy over magical realism. In your opinion, what about fantasy interests you more? What don't you like about magical realism?

[Joanne]

Holly R W wrote: "Hi Joanne, I have read some fantasy books and some books which involve magical realism. I'm very interested in your statement that you usually prefer fantasy over magical realism. In your opinion, ..."

For me fantasy reading is an escape-I like to get lost in the worlds for a few hours. I love Epic and High Fantasy books. I am trying to read older fantasy right now, as there are few "new" fantasy authors that can hold my attention There have been a some the last few years though that blew me away: V.E Schwab, Melina Marchetta, Robert Bennett Jackson and Victoria Averyard. These author's all know that world building is essential in a good fantasy story.

Magical Realism books on the other hand tend to take place in our world, and for me it has to be a damn good writer to pull me in and make me believe that "this could happen". Although what Bridget Collins did was built a world, in our world that really worked for me. Few authors can pull this off IMO.

Hope that answers your question! Glad to discuss it further if you need more clarification on my rational of the 2 genres.

[Holly R W]

Thank you. I was thinking that both genres involve flights of imagination for the reader and I was not seeing a real distinction, except maybe in subject matter. The idea of alternative worlds is a good distinction..... For me, many times a good fiction book is an escape too!