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mad_is_rad's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Well, now my heart hurts. This book was so wonderful. It was incredibly well-researched and there were so many different elements that the author managed to tie together very beautifully and cohesively - Esme’s coming of age, class differences between the female characters, the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary, women’s suffrage, death & grief, love, World War 1, how to define family, and more. It all felt so real. I really loved how fleshed out the characters were, especially Esme, Lizzie, and Ditte. A top-tier historical fiction for sure. And it was a great cozy fall read, as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and War
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
molly16's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was just incredible. It follows Esme's growth just as much as it follows the creation of the dictionary. It was heartbreakingly beautiful, shining light on the highest highs, the lowest lows, and everything in between. At times, Esme had so many words to describe what she was feeling and what was going on, she spoke in eloquent, winding sentences with alliteration that was second nature to her. At other times, there were no words. Not a single pigeon hole contained an adequate word. The dictionary failed to explain the depth of her emotion. And at times, it seemed the entirety of language failed her.
As someone who's felt some of the deep grief detailed in the book, it's as much an exploration of grief as it is an exploration of who decides what words are worth defining. Completely five out of five stars.
As someone who's felt some of the deep grief detailed in the book, it's as much an exploration of grief as it is an exploration of who decides what words are worth defining. Completely five out of five stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Hate crime, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Abortion, and Injury/Injury detail
Additional note: there is extensive discussion ofst61826's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Sexism and Pregnancy
Minor: Mental illness, Medical trauma, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
pammicmac's review against another edition
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Abortion
graceevalyn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
I loved this book!! I really enjoy books that deal with big social issues by focusing on very intimate aspects of a single person's life, and by doing that are able to say something clearly about the social issue clearly without preaching. This book did that. It's so thoroughly researched and meticulously put together; the historical detail included about the making of the dictionary is fascinating. The main character and many of the supporting characters are masterfully drawn, flawed, yet sympathetic characters. It's beautifully written and reflects on the role of women (or lack thereof) in the development of language, as well as more generally the power of words and sometimes their inability to say what we want to say. It's also astonishing to read a book that covers a scope of so many years and yet is paced so well and keeps my interest/remains consistent in tone and ideas the whole time while growing along with the character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
bookthief's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book follows the life of Esme Nicoll, from a little girl to the mark she has left in the world. This book is for history lovers and those who enjoy getting attached to characters. This is the perfect book to sit and read by a fire in the evenings with a mug of hot chocolate, steaming beside you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Grief, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent and War
janeywaneyb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The most enchanting book I have read for a long time. The Dictionary of Lost Words tells the story of Esme growing up surrounded by words as her Dad works at the Oxford English Dictionar writing the first version alongside learned men. You are invited to follow Esme as she navigates through her life and the words that surround us. The themes of feminism are bought to the forefront as Esme matures and you see what it was to be a woman in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century. I found myself drawn in by the words and staying for the characters and the lives Pip Williams crafted. This book hit my emotionally on many occasions and it has been a long time since a book has done that.
Make sure you read the Author's Note as there is so much more to this story and the dedication of Pip Williams to craft such a beautiful story.
Make sure you read the Author's Note as there is so much more to this story and the dedication of Pip Williams to craft such a beautiful story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion, Death of parent, and War
confessions_of_a_bookaholic's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Esme has grown up surrounded by words. For as long as she can remember she has spent her days beneath the sorting table of the Scriptorium, where her father is helping to compile the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. One day a slip bearing the word 'bondmaid' falls to the floor, to be rescued by Esme and stored in a chest in her friend Lizzie's room. As Esme grows she begins to realise that not all words make the dictionary. There are strict rules on which words meet the criteria for inclusion, and Esme takes a special interest in those that don't - these become her lost words.
Taking us through the beginnings of the Women's Suffrage movement, and World War I, The Dictionary of Lost Words explores the importance of language in shaping our world.
This was an Audible Editors Extra recently, and I must admit that I was unsure about whether I would read it or not - it's not a book that I would usually be drawn to. Luckily I saw a booksta recommendation from a friend who's judgement I trust, so I decided to give it a go. I thoroughly enjoyed listening, and am very glad for the nudge!
You can tell from very early on in this book that it is a love affair with words. It's not one that I would say is over written or full of purple prose - that's something that always puts me off books. Rather this one chooses words carefully for maximum impact, and explores the nuances in meaning of many of the words we are all so familiar with. If you have an interest in language or words, or just like reading books with an extensive vocabulary you will absolutely love this one.
The story is a sweeping arc of a lifetime, following Esme from her life as a young child all the way through to adulthood and eventually her death. It's a slow burn, but really manages to focus on some key moments. I won't call them highlights because in many cases they are tragic and distressing, but in the same way that the words are chosen for maximum impact so are the moments. I loved the back drop of the real life events that happened during Esme's life - the Women's Suffrage movement, World War I, and most centrally to the book the publication of the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. I had never stopped to consider the work that would have gone in to compiling the original volume, or the way that words and definitions would have been chosen and verified. The concept of 'Lost Words' is a fascinating one.
There are some wonderful characters written into this book. Esme of course is the obvious one to talk about, as we see her really discover herself and who she is as she grows from a child to a woman. I think some of the supporting characters are actually key to this story too. Lizzie the maid, who is there to support Esme at all stages of her life, as is her aunt Ditter. Mr Murray, the main editor for the dictionary, and Gareth the printer. All of these characters are essential in helping Esme to find herself, and to be the woman she wishes to be in a world where many would see her stamped down. These are some of the unsung heroes of history, those who were there behind the scenes quietly but steadfastly supporting the changes that were so desperately required.
I am very glad that I saw the review and recommendation that made me pick up this book, it's a remarkable book to read and covers some incredibly important aspects of history. It's one that I definitely recommend, and the audio version has a wonderful narrator.
Taking us through the beginnings of the Women's Suffrage movement, and World War I, The Dictionary of Lost Words explores the importance of language in shaping our world.
This was an Audible Editors Extra recently, and I must admit that I was unsure about whether I would read it or not - it's not a book that I would usually be drawn to. Luckily I saw a booksta recommendation from a friend who's judgement I trust, so I decided to give it a go. I thoroughly enjoyed listening, and am very glad for the nudge!
You can tell from very early on in this book that it is a love affair with words. It's not one that I would say is over written or full of purple prose - that's something that always puts me off books. Rather this one chooses words carefully for maximum impact, and explores the nuances in meaning of many of the words we are all so familiar with. If you have an interest in language or words, or just like reading books with an extensive vocabulary you will absolutely love this one.
The story is a sweeping arc of a lifetime, following Esme from her life as a young child all the way through to adulthood and eventually her death. It's a slow burn, but really manages to focus on some key moments. I won't call them highlights because in many cases they are tragic and distressing, but in the same way that the words are chosen for maximum impact so are the moments. I loved the back drop of the real life events that happened during Esme's life - the Women's Suffrage movement, World War I, and most centrally to the book the publication of the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. I had never stopped to consider the work that would have gone in to compiling the original volume, or the way that words and definitions would have been chosen and verified. The concept of 'Lost Words' is a fascinating one.
There are some wonderful characters written into this book. Esme of course is the obvious one to talk about, as we see her really discover herself and who she is as she grows from a child to a woman. I think some of the supporting characters are actually key to this story too. Lizzie the maid, who is there to support Esme at all stages of her life, as is her aunt Ditter. Mr Murray, the main editor for the dictionary, and Gareth the printer. All of these characters are essential in helping Esme to find herself, and to be the woman she wishes to be in a world where many would see her stamped down. These are some of the unsung heroes of history, those who were there behind the scenes quietly but steadfastly supporting the changes that were so desperately required.
I am very glad that I saw the review and recommendation that made me pick up this book, it's a remarkable book to read and covers some incredibly important aspects of history. It's one that I definitely recommend, and the audio version has a wonderful narrator.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion
splendidtrended's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I wept. This books imagery perfectly describes the ordinary sorrow of an extraordinary life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
captainwinter's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
The story takes a while to pick up and it took me a long time to connect with the main character (probably because she’s so young in the beginning), but once it got going I thoroughly enjoyed it! Languages fascinate me and this book kept me curious to discover more and find out if anything ever happened to the lost words. I even liked the love interest, which is always a plus.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: War
Minor: Abortion