The Dictionary of Lost Words
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- Create Date：2021-04-29 08:51:12
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Pip Williams
- ISBN：1784743879
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Summary
A moving and immersive debut: when a team of scholars compiles the first Oxford English Dictionary， one of their daughters starts a parallel book containing all the "objectionable" words the men choose to omit。
Reviews
Rosemary Dreyer
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What a surprising little gem of a book。 I laughed， cried， and wanted more。 What I loved: the characters; stepping into the world of creating an English dictionary; all of the history woven into the plot; the beautiful ending 。。。 and even the Acknowledgements。 What I didn’t like: skipping so much of the ending portion of Esme’s life; the leap in time to 1989。 Great novel worth reading， especially if you are interested in or care about words and their meaning。
Jo | Booklover Book Reviews
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4。5 Stars。 In this highly perceptive and nuanced historical fiction based on fact， Pip Williams honours the quiet industry， resilience and invaluable contribution of all those who， for whatever reason， are under-appreciated by society。I found Esme’s vividly authentic mix of intellectual curiosity and quiet insecurities beguiling。 Her reverence and love for words and their variant meanings comparable to Liesel Meminger’s in The Book Thief。 But she is far from the only character within The Diction 4。5 Stars。 In this highly perceptive and nuanced historical fiction based on fact， Pip Williams honours the quiet industry， resilience and invaluable contribution of all those who， for whatever reason， are under-appreciated by society。I found Esme’s vividly authentic mix of intellectual curiosity and quiet insecurities beguiling。 Her reverence and love for words and their variant meanings comparable to Liesel Meminger’s in The Book Thief。 But she is far from the only character within The Dictionary of Lost Words that readers will grow immensely fond of， and dare I say uncommonly attached to。 The emotional honesty shared between the characters brought to life on these pages （female and male） will have even the most stoic reaching for tissues。 Continue reading >> https://www。bookloverbookreviews。com/。。。 。。。more
Tina Morganella
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I really enjoyed the historical element of the book， and became intrigued to learn more about how the OED came into being。 Anyone who loves language and words will enjoy the focus on meaning and context， although I had trouble connecting to the physical importance of the slips that figure so prominently in so many of the characters' lives。 Nonetheless， it's a gorgeous story and main character Esme is the kind of person you'd want as a friend or sister。 I really enjoyed the historical element of the book， and became intrigued to learn more about how the OED came into being。 Anyone who loves language and words will enjoy the focus on meaning and context， although I had trouble connecting to the physical importance of the slips that figure so prominently in so many of the characters' lives。 Nonetheless， it's a gorgeous story and main character Esme is the kind of person you'd want as a friend or sister。 。。。more
Juliette Lockwood
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Lovely book， interesting and unusual story。 Really easy to read and could not put it down。
Jennifer
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Loved this historical fiction about the first Oxford English dictionary。 It was really cool to learn the process they used to find the words to go in it。I loved Esme's character。 She is motherless and goes with her father to the scriptorium everyday and sits beneath the table smile the men work。She steals the word bondmaiden that was on a strip of paper that fell beneath the table。 She puts in a wooden box that belongs to Lizzy who takes care of her and her father。She continues to collect discar Loved this historical fiction about the first Oxford English dictionary。 It was really cool to learn the process they used to find the words to go in it。I loved Esme's character。 She is motherless and goes with her father to the scriptorium everyday and sits beneath the table smile the men work。She steals the word bondmaiden that was on a strip of paper that fell beneath the table。 She puts in a wooden box that belongs to Lizzy who takes care of her and her father。She continues to collect discarded words and I love her thirst for words and their meanings。 She compiles a dictionary of lost words。It was interesting to see how during a time period where woman's suffrage was just beginning how often words were discarded and left out because they had more to do with women than men。While it is very different from a lot of historical fiction I have read， I really enjoyed it and found it very thought provoking。 。。。more
Kristy Johnston
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While I enjoyed this book， I was a bit disappointed。 The story was interesting though a bit slow in parts and rather uneventful。 It picked up a bit in the last quarter， but I wish I had felt fully engaged throughout especially as it took place during the women’s suffrage movement and the beginning of WWI。 I guess reading about characters writing a dictionary wasn’t as interesting as I thought it would be。
Anuradha
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Thank you to Netgalley and Ballentine books for the eARC。 It should not be， this word [bondmaid]， I thought。 It shouldn't exist。 Its meaning should be obscure and unthinkable。 It should be a relic， and yet it was as easily understood now as at any time in history。 The joy of telling the story faded。 Bondmaid， noun。: A slave girl。 A bonded servant。 Someone who is bound to serve till death。 In 1901， the word ‘Bondmaid’ was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary。 This is the story Thank you to Netgalley and Ballentine books for the eARC。 It should not be， this word [bondmaid]， I thought。 It shouldn't exist。 Its meaning should be obscure and unthinkable。 It should be a relic， and yet it was as easily understood now as at any time in history。 The joy of telling the story faded。 Bondmaid， noun。: A slave girl。 A bonded servant。 Someone who is bound to serve till death。 In 1901， the word ‘Bondmaid’ was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary。 This is the story of the girl who stole it。 Or so， the blurb reads。 Blurb， noun: A short description of a book， a new product， etc。， written by the people who have produced it， that is intended to attract your attention and make you want to buy it。 By definition， the blurb did its job， because this， I wanted to read。 The Dictionary of Lost Words is the story of Esme， a precocious child who grows up around the Scriptorium （or Scrippy）， whilst the Oxford Dictionary was being compiled。 Precocious， adjective: （of a child） having developed particular abilities and ways of behaving at a much younger age than usual。 Precocious， in books， can be endearing， and it can be annoying。 In Esme's case， it was definitely the latter。 Endearing， adjective: causing people to feel love。Annoying， adjective: making people feel slightly angry。Esme's father， Da， is one of the lexicographers who helps compile words for the dictionary。 A motherless child， she spends all of her free time with her father， at the Scriptorium， playing around， and collecting words that fall down。 Words that she thinks nobody wants。 It's wholesome and kind of sweet when she's a child， but her holier-than-thou habits get ever so slightly irritating。 Lexicographer， noun: a person who writes and edits dictionaries。Irritating， adjective: annoying， especially because of something somebody continuously does or something that continuously happens。Esme's life is tragic， and there is no question about that。 However， I feel like it need not have been。 Much of her turmoil did little to add to the plot of the story。 I guess that the point of it was to show her strength， and her unwavering devotion to her words in spite of all of the bad。 In a way， it worked。 On the other hand， I just wanted her to be happy so she would stop being sanctimonious。 Tragic， adjective: making you feel very sad， usually because somebody has died or suffered a lot。Turmoil， noun: a state of great worry in which everything is confused and nothing is certain。Unwavering， adjective: not changing or becoming weaker in any way。Devotion， noun: [uncountable， singular] devotion （to somebody/something） great love， care and support for somebody/somethingSanctimonious， adjective: giving the impression that you feel you are better and more moral than other people。Esme goes around collecting words that are not in the Dictionary， mostly because they aren't used by polite society。 Common words。 "But common isn't a prerequisite for the Dictionary。" Words used by "[t]he poor。 People who work at the Covered Market。 Women。 Which is why they're not written down and why they've been excluded。 Though sometimes they have been written down， but they're still left out because they are not used in polite society。" It's a fun and fascinating project， one that truly explores the class and gender divisions in society。 And to be fair to Esme， she does quite a good job of it。 However， and it's a big however， for some reason， it only goes to make her more self-righteous。Fascinating， adjective: extremely interesting and attractiveSelf-righteous， adjective: feeling or behaving as if what you say or do is always morally right， and other people are wrong。Don't get me wrong， I thoroughly enjoyed the book。 I loved Lizzie and Ditte and Gareth and Da。 I just couldn't get behind Esme as the prodigal daughter。 Having said that， I think the book does a truly excellent job of exploring the "what-if" behind what words were included in the dictionary and which ones were not。 I love words， and I love how words mean different things to different people。 This book does a really good job of capturing that。 So the three stars？ For two reasons: one， I didn't like Esme at all。 And two， the book could have done with tighter editing。 Some words are more important than others--I learned this， growing up in the Scriptorium。 But it took me a long time to understand why。 。。。more
Denise Kruse
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A thoughtful， fascinating look at the way language has been influenced by the men who were allowed to contribute to the Oxford English Dictionary and the lack of contribution by women。 This account is a combination of fact and fiction。
Kerrin
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Loved this！ A beautiful novel about sisterhood。
Karen Hunt
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What I liked most about this book was how it made you think about the origins of language and how words and meanings evolve。 It also made you realise that a dictionary is not a definitive resource， but is actually about recording how language is used （and how political that can be）。 It’s why entries into the dictionary continue to be updated as meanings and usage evolve…as frustrating as that can feel in the moment （or maybe it’s just me that had to take a moment to accept that the dictionary no What I liked most about this book was how it made you think about the origins of language and how words and meanings evolve。 It also made you realise that a dictionary is not a definitive resource， but is actually about recording how language is used （and how political that can be）。 It’s why entries into the dictionary continue to be updated as meanings and usage evolve…as frustrating as that can feel in the moment （or maybe it’s just me that had to take a moment to accept that the dictionary now recognises that the term literally can be used figuratively！）。 。。。more
Kim Johnstone
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As a feminist and as a friend once said， a closet linguist， I enjoyed this book about women's words， and a changing society at the turn of the century。 It's a bit of a fairy tale view of a woman's role in society at that time I think but I enjoyed the story telling and was completely engaged with the characters。 As a feminist and as a friend once said， a closet linguist， I enjoyed this book about women's words， and a changing society at the turn of the century。 It's a bit of a fairy tale view of a woman's role in society at that time I think but I enjoyed the story telling and was completely engaged with the characters。 。。。more
Jen Russo
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4。5
Sophie
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The first half of this book was very slow and seemed to be aimed at a very young audience， then the second half felt very rushed and like the author was trying to cover too many topics。 I love the premise of the story and the authors note at the end， but the book itself wasn’t that enjoyable。
Drea
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Fascinating novel - historical fiction - on the making of the OED， the Old English Dictionary。 Not only is the subject fascinating （who hasn’t wondered how in the world the OED was compiled） but it is complex as the question of what words make it into the dictionary and who chooses the words is addressed。 Men - white men - chose。 The process described of slips of paper and everyday people sending in words was incredible。。。and true to history。 I spend time online searching for photos and came acr Fascinating novel - historical fiction - on the making of the OED， the Old English Dictionary。 Not only is the subject fascinating （who hasn’t wondered how in the world the OED was compiled） but it is complex as the question of what words make it into the dictionary and who chooses the words is addressed。 Men - white men - chose。 The process described of slips of paper and everyday people sending in words was incredible。。。and true to history。 I spend time online searching for photos and came across so many of the place and the people described in the novel。 The fictional part focuses on Esme as she is the daughter of one of the principal workers creating the dictionary。 We learn of her life and watch her growth as in this time period， women’s rights and voting and WW1 are all transpiring。 This part of the novel dragged a bit at times for me。 The author was a bit ambitious adding in details and segments of her life that I didn’t care about。 That said， Esme began to do something quite extraordinary as a young girl and that story was gorgeous and inspiring and thoughtful。 Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this advanced copy。 I’m grateful。 。。。more
Christine D
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This book is a standout。 The writing is powerful， deeply moving and at times heart-breaking。 The plot is clever and compelling throughout while it invokes themes and issues still relevant today。
Erin Mendoza
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This was not my usual pick， but I loved it。The story follows Esme， whose father worked on the first Oxford English Dictionary。 I never gave much thought to what went into creating a dictionary in the late 19th/ early 20th century。 As Esme grows up， she lives through the women's suffrage movement and WWI。There is a special place in my heart for books about women who refuse to conform to societal norms。 This one did not disappoint。 This was not my usual pick， but I loved it。The story follows Esme， whose father worked on the first Oxford English Dictionary。 I never gave much thought to what went into creating a dictionary in the late 19th/ early 20th century。 As Esme grows up， she lives through the women's suffrage movement and WWI。There is a special place in my heart for books about women who refuse to conform to societal norms。 This one did not disappoint。 。。。more
Jori
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4。5 stars
Phyllis
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I truly enjoyed this book。 The characters were human and able to overcome bad choices we make in life。 I love the concept of words and the making of a dictionary as part of her life。 Sweet story！
Lacey
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It’s hard for me to give this book a star rating because I enjoyed it， but I won’t remember it。 It was very well-written and nice。 Enjoyable， but not overly intriguing。 I didn’t feel like I had to know what came next。 The characters were fine， but not very memorable。 Likely in a few years， or less， I will remember that I read this book， but have no idea what it was about。
Wendy Robey
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This is such a beautiful story。 The history of words in the English Oxford dictionary was fascinating and I loved learning about the process involved in the Scriptorium。 The characters are wonderful- so warmly described; from Esme， who feels the responsibility for all of the discarded and unwanted words， to Lizzie who is there for Esme at every turn， to Mabel who provided some of the more ‘fruity ‘ words for Esme’s collection。 All women who prove that their voices count as much as the next man。 This is such a beautiful story。 The history of words in the English Oxford dictionary was fascinating and I loved learning about the process involved in the Scriptorium。 The characters are wonderful- so warmly described; from Esme， who feels the responsibility for all of the discarded and unwanted words， to Lizzie who is there for Esme at every turn， to Mabel who provided some of the more ‘fruity ‘ words for Esme’s collection。 All women who prove that their voices count as much as the next man。 A truly evocative read that will stay with me for a long time。 。。。more
Brianna
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You nailed it author， I was sucked right after reading the first few paragraphs。 You know what， I suggest you join NovelStar's writing competition。 A lot of readers will love your work。 You nailed it author， I was sucked right after reading the first few paragraphs。 You know what， I suggest you join NovelStar's writing competition。 A lot of readers will love your work。 。。。more
Stephanie White
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Listened to on BorrowBox。I did enjoy this book。 I liked it and was interested in thinking about living in a world when the first dictionaries were being made。That being said， I seemed to not have really bonded with the characters in the way I wanted to。I love for a book to sweep me into its sorry so fully that I grieve with the characters and can be a part of the scenery。This book was like listening to an interesting and remote tale。Perhaps because it was set in a time and place so foreign to my Listened to on BorrowBox。I did enjoy this book。 I liked it and was interested in thinking about living in a world when the first dictionaries were being made。That being said， I seemed to not have really bonded with the characters in the way I wanted to。I love for a book to sweep me into its sorry so fully that I grieve with the characters and can be a part of the scenery。This book was like listening to an interesting and remote tale。Perhaps because it was set in a time and place so foreign to my experience I had no access point？I liked the main character， I was so sad that her dad died and then Dr Murray and then her new husband didn’t return from the war。 It seemed like in her short life she experienced a lot of heart ache！I was shocked that she died at 48 and that her daughter never knew about her while she was alive。I did love that her daughter ended up studying words too。 。。。more
Ben
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First half of the book is very slow。 Second half picks up but overall very disappointing。
smalltownbookmom
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I love me a great historical fiction based on actual events， especially when it highlights women’s experiences and voices that are so often forgotten or lost。 This story was all of that and more！ Based on the real men who compiled the Oxford English Dictionary but told through the eyes of Esme， a motherless daughter of one of the lexicographers who grew up under the sorting table in the Scriptorium。 One of the first words Esme comes across is “bondmaid” defined as “slave girl” which sparks what I love me a great historical fiction based on actual events， especially when it highlights women’s experiences and voices that are so often forgotten or lost。 This story was all of that and more！ Based on the real men who compiled the Oxford English Dictionary but told through the eyes of Esme， a motherless daughter of one of the lexicographers who grew up under the sorting table in the Scriptorium。 One of the first words Esme comes across is “bondmaid” defined as “slave girl” which sparks what will turn into a life long interest in recording the uncollected words and their meanings from the women and common folk she befriends。 I loved the great sense of the time Williams evokes， writing about the changes England is experiencing as the suffragist movement gains momentum and WWI looms。 This is also a heartwarming love story and a celebration of the bonds of female friendship。 I can safely say I won’t forget this book anytime soon！ Recommended for historical fiction lovers and especially fans of The liar’s dictionary （also a favourite book！！）。 Favourite quote:“You are not the arbiter of knowledge sir。 You are it’s librarian。。。It is not for you to judge the importance of these words， simply to allow others to do so。” 。。。more
Meg Macri
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Excellent。
Hannah Grace
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Wow。 Wowowowow。 I am so glad I decided to pick this one up。Calling all word/language lovers – this spellbinding historical fiction debut has gorgeous writing， dynamic characters， and a memorable storyline。 Based on the true events of creating the Oxford English Dictionary， this is an empowering novel that will forever make you ponder our words and how they came to be。I was moved by this story in profound ways。 It made me smile， cry， hope， dream， and mourn。 Really， I can't say enough good things Wow。 Wowowowow。 I am so glad I decided to pick this one up。Calling all word/language lovers – this spellbinding historical fiction debut has gorgeous writing， dynamic characters， and a memorable storyline。 Based on the true events of creating the Oxford English Dictionary， this is an empowering novel that will forever make you ponder our words and how they came to be。I was moved by this story in profound ways。 It made me smile， cry， hope， dream， and mourn。 Really， I can't say enough good things about the writing， the characters， or the richly researched details。 Esme's passion for words is something many of us can relate to， but given her historical context， it's even more remarkable。 I was entranced while reading， and I now want to flip to the beginning and read again， this time with a highlighter and pen in hand to mark my favorite quotations。 Moments of deep academic thought were paired so nicely with snippets of tenderness。 Gareth and Da were my two favorite supporting characters， though I do love Ditte and Lizzie as well。。。 Carefully and masterfully developed scenes， characters， and timelines make this book one hell of a read。How we define language defines us， and this novel is a glittering example of how important that task really is。 I cannot reccomend it enough。 （Selected as my May '21 staff pick。） 。。。more
Jean
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4。5 ⭐️ 🎧
Kyle Dinges
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For some reason， I have now read two separate works of fiction about the creation of dictionaries this year。 The Dictionary of Lost Words is the better of the two。 It's about language， family， womanhood， motherhood， the women's suffrage movement， love， and loss。 It's sometimes a bit dry， but it's an enjoyable read。 For some reason， I have now read two separate works of fiction about the creation of dictionaries this year。 The Dictionary of Lost Words is the better of the two。 It's about language， family， womanhood， motherhood， the women's suffrage movement， love， and loss。 It's sometimes a bit dry， but it's an enjoyable read。 。。。more
Sirena
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3。5 *
Sally
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