Historical

The Dictionary of Lost Words

The Dictionary of Lost Words

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  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-07-07 08:53:27
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Pip Williams
  • ISBN：1784743860
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Summary

Discover the internationally bestselling debut， SHORTLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION

'If you only read one book this year， let it be this one！' FIVE STAR NETGALLEY READER REVIEW

'An extraordinary， charming novel。。。 Williams pins a whole， rich life to the page' The Times

In 1901， the word 'bondmaid' was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary。 This is the story of the girl who stole it。

Motherless and irrepressibly curious， Esme spends her childhood in the Scriptorium， a garden shed in Oxford where her father and a team of lexicographers are gathering words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary。

Esme's place is beneath the sorting table， unseen and unheard。 One day， she sees a slip containing the word 'bondmaid' flutter to the floor unclaimed。

Over time， Esme realises that some words are considered more important than others， and that words and meanings relating to women's experiences often go unrecorded。 She begins to collect words for another dictionary: The Dictionary of Lost Words。

PRAISE FOR THE DICTIONARY OF LOST WORDS

'Set at a time when women's voices were clamouring more than ever to be heard， it moved me greatly to think how history is skewed by those who hold power -- and how important it is that novels like this redress that balance' Elizabeth Macneal， author or The Doll Factory

'A brilliant book about women and words - tender， moving and profound' Jacqueline Wilson

'I absolutely loved this book！ Thought-provoking， touching and subtly romantic; I finished it in tears' Katie Fforde

MORE FIVE STAR NETGALLEY READER REVIEWS

'If you're a fan of The Binding and The Betrayals you will surely love this'

'A glorious combination of words， growing up， friendship， love， feminism and so much more'

'The best love letter to words and language'

'This book broke my heart 。。。 I highly recommend it to any historical fiction fans 。。。 it's one I will be reading again'

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Reviews

Karen Trenorden ，

Maybe 4。5 ⭐️ It took me a bit to get into it but I was teary by the end。 I will think of it often l！

Izzy Markiewicz ，

3。5 ⭐

Pat Wahler ，

Well written， but a slow mover。

Denise MacGregor Fraser ，

I really liked this book。 Esme's story intertwined with the dictionary & the possibility of how this could have been true in the early 1900s。 so interesting the first edition of the Oxford dictionary took 71yrs to compile & publish。 I've never thought about how this would have been done。What a roller coaster of emotions in the last third， I had to keep reading to the end in one sitting。 A Wonderful story & well researched。 I really liked this book。 Esme's story intertwined with the dictionary & the possibility of how this could have been true in the early 1900s。 so interesting the first edition of the Oxford dictionary took 71yrs to compile & publish。 I've never thought about how this would have been done。What a roller coaster of emotions in the last third， I had to keep reading to the end in one sitting。 A Wonderful story & well researched。 。。。more

Elle ，

Absolutely dreary

Philippa ，

The more I read this， the more I loved it。 Starts off quite sweet and fluffy， but as it develops its substance increases and it becomes unputdownable。 The story of the writing o the Oxford English dictionary， along with what was left out， and who。

Maria ，

Идеальное летнее чтение для меня。 «Дочь лексикографа составляет словарь потерянных слов»？ Продано， заверните， пожалуйста。

Lindsay ，

4。5 stars

Chantal ，

I liked the premise， but it was very draggy。 I could see several places where it could've ended， but I learned a lot from it。 I liked the premise， but it was very draggy。 I could see several places where it could've ended， but I learned a lot from it。 。。。more

Mollie ，

4。5⭐， rounded down。This book loses a half star for its length （so long！！）， but I so enjoyed this story and all that I learned about this time and events。 I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did！ I had never considered that even our dictionary is a gendered collection of words， and what that meant for the people who used it。 I love the idea of Esme's legacy changing the world with her words。 4。5⭐， rounded down。This book loses a half star for its length （so long！！）， but I so enjoyed this story and all that I learned about this time and events。 I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did！ I had never considered that even our dictionary is a gendered collection of words， and what that meant for the people who used it。 I love the idea of Esme's legacy changing the world with her words。 。。。more

Gabi ，

“The Dictionary of Lost Words” is， interestingly， based on the compilation of what is now the Oxford English Dictionary and all the work， time and research that went into it。 It also interweaves the themes of women’s equality and the suffrage movement。 Set when the women’s suffrage movement was at its height and the Great War loomed， it reveals a lost narrative， hidden between the lines of a gendered history written by men。 It explores the way in which some words were intentionally left out of t “The Dictionary of Lost Words” is， interestingly， based on the compilation of what is now the Oxford English Dictionary and all the work， time and research that went into it。 It also interweaves the themes of women’s equality and the suffrage movement。 Set when the women’s suffrage movement was at its height and the Great War loomed， it reveals a lost narrative， hidden between the lines of a gendered history written by men。 It explores the way in which some words were intentionally left out of the original dictionary- often words used by or important to women。 I found the premise of the book intriguing and it was a thought-provoking celebration of words， and the power of language to not only shape the world but also our experience of it。 Well researched， and well written- would recommend。 。。。more

Sarah ，

I recognize the points this book was trying to make， but I just。。。 Wasn't sold on the execution。 I recognize the points this book was trying to make， but I just。。。 Wasn't sold on the execution。 。。。more

Lissa Wilson ，

This book is based on a fascinating premise。 Which words are lost when those in power decide what is important enough to include in defining language and what is excluded？ The narrative itself began slowly and didn’t pick up until page 150 or so IMHO。 I’m glad I stuck with it though because once the protagonist was well established， the narrative become increasingly riveting。

Pam Cain ，

loved the originality of this debut novel， loved its intent， loved the characters。 a little disappointed in the ending

Peggy ，

Started out being a bit tedious， and for a couple of chapters， I thought it might not be one for me。 However， I am glad I kept going。 Interesting read， with great description of historical events and various events involving the main characters - all of them very likeable and real。 The author's notes at the end were enlightening as well。 Started out being a bit tedious， and for a couple of chapters， I thought it might not be one for me。 However， I am glad I kept going。 Interesting read， with great description of historical events and various events involving the main characters - all of them very likeable and real。 The author's notes at the end were enlightening as well。 。。。more

Julie ，

Such an interesting time。。。creating the first Oxford English Dictionary。 One minor nit is how many times the word “slip” is used。。。

Paul A ，

Best book I’ve read for many years。 About the OED。 what’s not to like。 Lovely superimposition of the OED in a time where women were serving rare citizens and the suffragette movement was kicking off。 Also interesting take in gray hair men editing the works。

Sarah Ohlson ，

I absolutely loved this book and the way it celebrates words of all kinds。 Fantastic read。

Vic ，

4。5*

Anna Dalton ，

This story made me ponder the meaning and uses of words。 Words have emotion behind them and different meanings for different people and situations。 I liked that Esme considered the words used by the "common" people important enough to deserve their own space on the page。 The story was slow to start for me but picked up about halfway through。 I don't know if I can explain my 3 stars。 I guess I just didn't love it as much as I thought I would。 This story made me ponder the meaning and uses of words。 Words have emotion behind them and different meanings for different people and situations。 I liked that Esme considered the words used by the "common" people important enough to deserve their own space on the page。 The story was slow to start for me but picked up about halfway through。 I don't know if I can explain my 3 stars。 I guess I just didn't love it as much as I thought I would。 。。。more

Hanlie ，

What a wonderful and very interesting read！I was fascinated by the whole process of putting a dictionary together。 One doesn't realize how long it takes and how much effort is needed。 The characters were beautifully portrayed and it is unbelievable to think this is a debut author！This is the story of Esme who grew up in the Scriptorium。 A magical place of wonder for her。 A place filled with words。 But it is also a place where she finds out that some words are just not seen as important; especial What a wonderful and very interesting read！I was fascinated by the whole process of putting a dictionary together。 One doesn't realize how long it takes and how much effort is needed。 The characters were beautifully portrayed and it is unbelievable to think this is a debut author！This is the story of Esme who grew up in the Scriptorium。 A magical place of wonder for her。 A place filled with words。 But it is also a place where she finds out that some words are just not seen as important; especially if it comes from a woman。 Soon she becomes a collector of words and makes it her life ambition to give these words wings。 A beautiful and at times sad story that is based on facts。 Thank you to NetGalley and Random House， Vintage for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion 。。。more

Andy Roth ，

Rating: 3。75 starsThis is a well written book with a very interesting and compelling main character。 I found most of the other characters to be two-dimensional， but when I learned that some were based on real people， this made more sense。There were sections that dragged for me， because they dealt with what could be considered "lady stuff" which is something I wouldn't usually read about。 As I continued on， the realization snuck up on me that this is the point the book is making。 As a man who rea Rating: 3。75 starsThis is a well written book with a very interesting and compelling main character。 I found most of the other characters to be two-dimensional， but when I learned that some were based on real people， this made more sense。There were sections that dragged for me， because they dealt with what could be considered "lady stuff" which is something I wouldn't usually read about。 As I continued on， the realization snuck up on me that this is the point the book is making。 As a man who reads books by men about stuff that is interesting to men， I am missing out quite a lot。My favorite lost word: knackered。 I will use this frequently。 。。。more

Lorna ，

Excellent fictional story woven around the true story of the Oxford English Dictionary。 Esme was a complicated and interesting character， but I may have loved Lizzie even more。 Highly recommend。 4 and a half stars。

JoAnne Boncher ，

📕📕📕📕📕Absolutely beautiful book。 I had never thought about the process of writing and editing the dictionary 。 Fascinating and interesting that this was also the time of woman’s suffrage。 Good old Victorian times。Beautiful soulful writing。 I agree with Geraldine Brooks， ‘timeless and timely’。Could be a nice book club choice if in paperback。

Laura Hartmann-Villalta ，

an engaging story about a girl-turned-woman who grows up with the Oxford English Dictionary。 a wonderful feminist commentary on who decides what gets recorded， and how， and what stories get told for posterity。。。even through language。 i enjoyed this window into early 20th century oxford。

Deb Hill ，

As a lover of words， the summary of this book captured my interest， immediately。 However， I became uncomfortable snd concerned with the direction of the storyline after the first third of the book。 Howver。 the author did a wonderful job of getting it back on track and tying it all together at the end。 It was easy to relate to in that we all have encountered a Tilda and Bill at some point in our lives， and we should not overlook the Mabel's for they have life lessons and stories to share， as well As a lover of words， the summary of this book captured my interest， immediately。 However， I became uncomfortable snd concerned with the direction of the storyline after the first third of the book。 Howver。 the author did a wonderful job of getting it back on track and tying it all together at the end。 It was easy to relate to in that we all have encountered a Tilda and Bill at some point in our lives， and we should not overlook the Mabel's for they have life lessons and stories to share， as well。 Thank God for the Lizzie's of life that are always supportive and by our side。 。。。more

Barbara Naugle ，

Rich characters， beautiful prose like writing， and a marvelous story line。

John Porter ，

A stunning debut novel。 Historical fiction the way that it should be done。 The author has so carefully researched the making of the Oxford Dictionary and the people responsible， related it to contemporaneous events of WWI and the suffrage movement in the UK， and carefully woven the lead （fictional） character into a story that is both educational and makes one to learn more about the events and the times。 Personally， the last historical fiction to generate this reaction in me was Follett's Kingsb A stunning debut novel。 Historical fiction the way that it should be done。 The author has so carefully researched the making of the Oxford Dictionary and the people responsible， related it to contemporaneous events of WWI and the suffrage movement in the UK， and carefully woven the lead （fictional） character into a story that is both educational and makes one to learn more about the events and the times。 Personally， the last historical fiction to generate this reaction in me was Follett's Kingsbridge series （where all of a sudden how all those old cathedrals in Europe were put together became important）。 Here， it's how dictionaries come about--may sound like a dull topic， it's not here。Esme， the daughter of a lexicographer on the Oxford English Dictionary is introduced to the process of creating the dictionary at six years of age where her fascination with words germinates as she plays under the worktable。 As she comes to question the biases in the project （exclusion of 'common folk's （particularly women's） words， you're hooked into the story line。The （literally） plays on words， superb descriptive writing and dialog， and depth of character development draws the reader into this world and few distractions can pull you out of it。 If you want this to be a quick read， it's easy to devour in a short span， but， like me， you may pace yourself to take in the ambiance of the prose。The author had me at the title， as it evoked memories of Midnight Library and the Cemetery of Forgotten Books Series。 The author notes at the end: "This novel is my attempt to understand how the way we define language might define us。" The author （entertainingly） succeeds in helping the reader see this。 If you find your reading experience enhanced by books that deal with libraries， writers， and language， short list this Dictionary。 。。。more

Xander Kennedy ，

I wanted to work "bondmaid" into my review of this book， as in: "I am a bondmaid to this novel" but that wouldn't really make sense and would seem to almost contradict the spirit of this beautiful story。 Oh well。 Needless to say， I am utterly devoted to Esme's tale and to her as a character。 What a lyrical and inspiring journey she takes us on。 The supporting cast， too， are pitch perfect。 When I was not even a third of the way through this tale， I was so convinced it was something I wanted to sh I wanted to work "bondmaid" into my review of this book， as in: "I am a bondmaid to this novel" but that wouldn't really make sense and would seem to almost contradict the spirit of this beautiful story。 Oh well。 Needless to say， I am utterly devoted to Esme's tale and to her as a character。 What a lyrical and inspiring journey she takes us on。 The supporting cast， too， are pitch perfect。 When I was not even a third of the way through this tale， I was so convinced it was something I wanted to share I purchased a copy for my dad on Father's Day with the inscription: "Thank you for raising me a feminist with a love of language and literature。" I think that pretty effectively sums up this book。 The one element of this story that kept it from earning the full 5 stars is the amount of tragedy that piles up。 Especially by the end， the heaps of heartbreak work to almost pull me out of the story。 。。。more

Gill Quinn ，

Not just a book about words， but also about love， dedication and women。 I was in tears at the end。 Extraordinary。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Dictionary of Lost Words

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Dictionary of Lost Words&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Dictionary of Lost Words&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0