Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - The Dictionary of Lost Words

I found this disappointingly slow going. There’s nothing particularly wrong with the book, it just didn’t grab me enough to get through it quickly. Esme is quite passive for a protagonist. Things happen around her and to her. It’s a bit depressing.
The words are the real star of the story. I enjoyed the premise that there’s a gender bias in these original dictionaries and the process of collecting the women’s words and defining them was really interesting. The story could have benefited from more of that.

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elanele's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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librijess's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

While I found this book a little slow to begin with, Esme’s adult life had me looking forward to running errands so I could listen to this audiobook. While the ending had me in tears, I especially appreciated the mentions of Adelaide and the Kaurna people and language, as I live here.

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ntvenessa's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I detested the first half, and then found it adequate by the end. I think the historical account and critique of dictionary making was done sufficiently, although without revelation beyond what is already broadly agreed in linguistics (although I am biased as I am linguistically trained, and perhaps these are not moot points to someone who is not). Ultimately I think its integration with a fictionalised story was its downfall. It simply wasn't convincing, and the tone was jarring. Especially when the author is writing from the first person voice of a child in 19th century England through the lens of a 21st century feminist moralist (but who am I to judge what a 19th century English child would sound like). To some extent you have to suspend your disbelief when reading historical fiction, but there is a fine line and too often events seemed to me too far fetched, too convenient, too formulaic. Bar one turn of events, the plot was rather too convenient. The writing was inelegant. It was not immersive. It is a sign of a clumsy novel when you can anticipate the plot devices as they come. It's like watching a rehearsal as opposed to opening night. I often felt that the crux of what needed to be said could have been compressed -- this is a novel written without economy of language and this I think is to its detriment. While it dilutes what I imagine to be points the author makes (and valid ones at that), I suppose it does also make the writing more accessible. All things said the latter half of the novel hit a chord, not for its storytelling but for its subject matter, which may also mean something to you, if you have ever

grieved

. Maybe this book just wasn't for me, but maybe it's for you?

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aseel_reads's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective 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

4.0

really enjoyed learning about how the Oxford English dictionary was created!! I liked how the book interwined with the British suffragette movement and world war one. I also liked the intersection of class and gender. I do wish there was more race and gender, besides the bit in the epilogue. I liked Esme, I thought she was a well established character and I liked her arc.

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frogglin's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Set against the backdrop of the Suffragette movement and World War I, this is the story of Esme. From a very early age she has spent her time in the Scriptorium, a garden shed where men are working day after day to define as many words as they can with the ultimate aim of publishing the very first Oxford English Dictionary.

There is a rich sense of history and time in this novel and Esme's growing frustration that "women's words" and those used by the poor or marginalised are not considered worthy of inclusion in the dictionary is perfectly pitched. Her relationship with Lizzie, the maid of the house belonging to Dr Murray (who is in charge of the work of collecting words) grows and deepens as they age into a true friendship.

Esme herself lacks the bravery to chain herself to a fence or march for the vote, it is an interesting portrait of a young women who wants to help make a change but has to find her own way to do it. Something that is still a valid discussion today. Change and progress can come from many directions.

Pip Williams has woven Esme's story among those of real people (although fictionalised) who were busy in the creation of the first Oxford English Dictionary, and also moved Esme into different circles socially which provides a good variety and depth to the story as well as challenging her character into new directions and ideas.

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