A review by kmsander4
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

There is something magical hidden within the words of The Dictionary of Lost Words. Perhaps it is simply the deep love and reverence Williams has for words of all types. But if you ask me, I would say it is the heart. This book is full of love and heart.

The love of Esme and her dad. The love and deep respect for words by almost every single character. The relationships. Esme and Da. Esme and Lizzie. Esme and Dr.  Murray. Da and Ditte. Da and Lily.
Esme and Gareth. Lizzie and Gareth.  Gareth and his mom. Esme and Her. Megan and her Mum. Megan and her mother.


Some readers may say that parts of this book drag. They may say it becomes overly verbose. But, to me, that's what makes it perfect. It is a book filled to the brim with words. Some of which are no longer used and others that still make us blush. Words that are used to tell the fictionalized story of the Oxford English Dictionary AND the story of the girl who grew up in the Scriptorium.

There is love, loss, war, grief, fight, determination, loyalty, fear, everything on these pages. There is life. I will scream about this book from rooftops. I will read it again and again and again.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings