Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - The Bookbinder of Jericho

Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams

24 reviews

jopopipo's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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oceanwriter's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

After such a lovely experience reading The Dictionary of Lost Words, I had high anticipation for this book. I sort of regret that now as I think I set it too high in the sense I was expecting to recreate my first experience with this author two years ago. I still enjoyed the essence of the book, it just hit differently this time. And that’s okay.

The story focuses on twin sisters Peggy and Maude, their careers as bookbinders, as well as WWI and the Spanish Flu epidemic. Each other the sisters have different personalities and are charming in their own right.

Though not a sequel to The Dictionary of Lost Words, there are mentions of Esme and her book scattered throughout. Both books are and can be read as a standalone.

I wish I knew what exactly, but something was lacking for me. It might just be me being in a different place, though I have seen some reviews that share my reaction. It didn’t feel the characters were as fleshed out as they were in the first book and I wonder if that is in part because we have two protagonists as well as very present supporting characters. I still loved the writing and highlighted several lovely quotes, it was just overall a different experience than I’d expected. I will likely revisit this one at a later time.

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dystopia's review

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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katievallin's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

My biggest issue is that Peggy annoyed me. But she also reminded me of myself, which gives me a lot to consider.

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beingsimba's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad

5.0

Not a type of book I would normally read but I'm so glad I did. Full of love without being saccharin, sad but not without hope. The appreciation for books and the written word are apparent (which was what sold it to me in the first place) and the cast of characters (primary and secondary) felt so strong. I'm not sure this will be one I ever revisit, but I so thoroughly enjoyed listening to it in the moment.

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