The Dictionary of Lost Words
The Dictionary of Lost Words - a novel
by Pip Williams
published by Ballentine Books in 2020
fiction - historical, literary, women’s
Writing my reflections for this book has been quite difficult. This novel was such a powerful book for me, and my writing about it seems to pale in comparison to the beauty and significance of this book. It’s difficult to know where to begin. The author brilliantly weaves multiple important and often dismissed themes into the tapestry of historical details. Words — the ones we use, the ones we’re “forbidden” from knowing or using, the biases that have been permitted in how words are valued or discredited — particularly for women — all creatively explored in this incredible story.
The book begins very slowly and in the voice of a little girl named Esme around the age of six. We, the readers, are reminded how to see through the eyes of a child and to consider what life can feel like in our younger bodies. As Esme ages, the author incorporates her education about life with the decades long work that went into the Oxford English Dictionary finally finished in 1928. After the early childhood part, the book moves with increasing speed and depth. I loved this book! I’m so thankful to my Aussie friends Sue and Linda who separately recommended it. A brilliant read! This is definitely going on my favorite books shelf!
