The Bookbinder of Jericho, by Pip Williams

A companion tale to the Dictionary of Lost Words, set in the same world but a little later, this story again focuses on the frustrations of smart women denied opportunities. Peggy and her twin Maud live on a riverboat in the Oxford district of Jericho and work in the bookbinding section of Oxford University Press. Peggy is hungry for books and all they offer but feels she must look out for her sister, who is neurodivergent and potentially vulnerable. The outbreak of WWI sees new possibilities for both sisters as refugees and soldiers flood the town. But will Peggy have the courage to pursue her ambitions and can she allow her sister the independence she needs to grow? The novel provides an interesting picture of the home front of WWI from the perspective of working class women. Williams has clearly done the research and unfortunately overshares the results in places, where the intricate technicalities of bookbinding can drag on. But it is enjoyable to follow Peggy and Maude strive to overcome the obstacles of class and gender and make some devastating choices between heart and head.