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

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

5.0

I realised that the words most often used to define us were words that described our function in relation to others. Even the most benign words- maiden, wife, mother - told the world whether we were virgins or not. What was the male equivalent of maiden? I could not think of it. What was the male equivalent of Mrs., of whore, of common scold?... Which words would define me? Which would be used to judge or contain?

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, and War

Minor: Abortion, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Slavery, and Violence