Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by katiealex72
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
5.0
I LOVED this wonderful book. Just finished the last word, including all the author’s notes, the acknowledgements and the timelines at the end and I wish it wasn’t over!
We follow the life and times of Esme, from the age of 4, and her extraordinary, unconventional education and upbringing. Her life is woven amongst the actual timeline of the publication of the first edition of the OED, and other major historical events of the early 20th century, but we see it from the perspective of women, all belonging to the middle and lower classes. Pip Williams is master of ‘show, don’t tell’, and evidence of Esme’s uniqueness and intellect is doled out sparingly, as is the importance to the story of Lizzie, an old fashioned live-in domestic servant employed/bonded to the home of Esme’s boss. It is a rare treat to have a book like this unfold gently and easily, rather than being smacked in the face by a torrent of facts. It’s beautifully written and edited. Looking forward to Williams’ next novel.
We follow the life and times of Esme, from the age of 4, and her extraordinary, unconventional education and upbringing. Her life is woven amongst the actual timeline of the publication of the first edition of the OED, and other major historical events of the early 20th century, but we see it from the perspective of women, all belonging to the middle and lower classes. Pip Williams is master of ‘show, don’t tell’, and evidence of Esme’s uniqueness and intellect is doled out sparingly, as is the importance to the story of Lizzie, an old fashioned live-in domestic servant employed/bonded to the home of Esme’s boss. It is a rare treat to have a book like this unfold gently and easily, rather than being smacked in the face by a torrent of facts. It’s beautifully written and edited. Looking forward to Williams’ next novel.