The Binding
Jan. 28th, 2019 03:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alobearI had no idea whatsoever, going into The Binding by Bridget Collins, what it was about, or even what genre it was. It was recommended to me with the instruction that I not read the blurb before diving in and I think that was good advice.
I will say that it's a fantasy novel about magic books, but that's all I will say about genre and plot.
It's a beautiful book in terms of cover design, and it's beautifully written in terms of the language use, descriptions and particularly the imagery. The premise is original and has tremendous layers of ethics, identity, memory, the power and consequence of experience. There are definitely echoes of #MeToo around power dynamics in relationships and the ability of the rich and important to get away with horrific things.
I had an idea where the plot was going early on, but I wasn't sure if it would go there. It did and it was a pleasant affirmation of my prediction. I liked a lot of the characters and I thought the way the story was put together was very well done. The flashback section on the middle went on too long, though, and I didn't find the ultimate conclusion very satisfying.
The hope provided by the ending was too easily purchased, with no foundation in the reality of the story. And it also left multiple characters (notably most of the female ones) without any closure, justice or hope for themselves.
So, while the world-building and setting were masterful, the writing excellent and some aspects of the plot admirable, I was left feeling there were far too many loose ends, and that the two main characters proved very selfish in pursuing their own happiness at the expense of others.
I will say that it's a fantasy novel about magic books, but that's all I will say about genre and plot.
It's a beautiful book in terms of cover design, and it's beautifully written in terms of the language use, descriptions and particularly the imagery. The premise is original and has tremendous layers of ethics, identity, memory, the power and consequence of experience. There are definitely echoes of #MeToo around power dynamics in relationships and the ability of the rich and important to get away with horrific things.
I had an idea where the plot was going early on, but I wasn't sure if it would go there. It did and it was a pleasant affirmation of my prediction. I liked a lot of the characters and I thought the way the story was put together was very well done. The flashback section on the middle went on too long, though, and I didn't find the ultimate conclusion very satisfying.
The hope provided by the ending was too easily purchased, with no foundation in the reality of the story. And it also left multiple characters (notably most of the female ones) without any closure, justice or hope for themselves.
So, while the world-building and setting were masterful, the writing excellent and some aspects of the plot admirable, I was left feeling there were far too many loose ends, and that the two main characters proved very selfish in pursuing their own happiness at the expense of others.
