The Dictionary of Lost Words: A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK

A chance buy, after reading a book club recco. Man am I surprised by the simplicity and detail of this world. This is easily my fav book of 22.

I bought this on a whim and was so glad I did. The writing is succinct and yet so evocative & combines the history of the making of the OED with events of the time. Reminds us that language is always influenced and informed by culture!

If you like to read a book where every character you like dies, and which records a love for words that makes you want to weep till the end of days with an aching eternal love, this is a good read.

One among the best historical fiction read. The initial years of Esme reminded me so much of Liesel Meminger from the book thief. The character development of Esme over the years is remarkable. Not just her, all the characters' development and their relationship with her is something that makes the book into a beautiful one. The best part is how the fiction meets the history.

Fascinating story of how the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary was put together. In 1857, it was proposed that a new English Dictionary be published. The editor, James Murray was appointed in 1879. 5 years later, in 1884, the volume “A to Ant” was published. Finally, in 1928, the 12 volume Oxford English Dictionary was published, 71 years after it was first proposed! The characters in the book are also involved in historical events over this period, including, most importantly, the long struggle of the suffragist movement leading, eventually, to the vote for all women in the UK in 1928, and of course, the sorrow of World War I.

Disclaimer: I received free e-ARC of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't affect my review or rating.If you love words and their meaning, if you’re fascinated by them and how Oxford English Dictionary (OED) was created, process of it, and its history. You should read this book.The Dictionary of LostWords was brilliant and well researched historical fiction that revolved arounds Esme, Oxford English Dictionary edited by James Murray, and how words shaped and defined Esme’s life. It was about words, lost words used by women for women and how they were biased by men of dictionary, life of lexicographer, history, prejudice, courage, empathy, and empowerment.I enjoyed reading character introduction in first few chapters and introduction of scriptorium.I rooted for Esme from the very beginning. Her growth and development were great. She not just understood words and their meaning better but also loved ones and people around her.Best part of the book was, it wasn’t just Esme’s story (which was fictional) but was the story of OED and lexicographer worked for it (which was historical fact) how seamlessly and beautifully author woven both fictional and historical parts.Overall, it was thought-provoking, informative, realistic, well researched and perfectly written historical fiction that read like memoir of Esme and OED. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction.Read full review on my #bookblog by following the link -https://booksteacupnreviews.com/2021/04/28/book-review-the-dictionary-of-lost-words-by-pip-williams-perfectly-written-historical-fiction/

This story made me laugh and cry and feel everything in between. I got absorbed into the life and days of Esme and followed her journey with eagerness. Pip Williams has given life to the women of the Oxford English Dictionary and to those whose words did not make the cut. All while taking into account the lives, hopes and fears of women during the start of the 20th century, the suffragettes and WW1. I highly recommend this book, and while this may not mean much from a stranger on the Internet I encourage you to give this book a shot. It is moving, empowering and reflective.

This is such a beautiful story. The history of words in the English Oxford dictionary was fascinating and I loved learning about the process involved in the Scriptorium.The characters are wonderful- so warmly described; from Esme, who feels the responsibility for all of the discarded and unwanted words, to Lizzie who is there for Esme at every turn, to Mabel who provided some of the more ‘fruity ‘ words for Esme’s collection. All women who prove that their voices count as much as the next man.A truly evocative read that will stay with me for a long time.

Prompted by the film "the Professor and the Madman" with Mel Gibson as the Editor of the Oxford Dictionary, I spotted this in a newspaper review. Written from the perspective of a daughter of the team, this is beautifully crafted and emotionally in love with both words and their origin. It is very evocative of the treatment of girls and the value of wealth and family by society at the time. A leader for the best of 2021 so far.

Welcome to the world of the Scriptorium where the words of meaning, definition, pronunciation, and consequence that are deemed sufficiently important make their way into the Oxford English dictionary. For here we learn the art of 'lexicography' created in the late 17th century, from the Greek lexikos meaning 'of words' and ‘grapho’ meaning 'to inscribe, to write' and the agonising process involved at the Scriptorium of filtering the words of meaning.The history of our words and the fictional story of Esme who must remain silent and invisible, in the place her father works as a lexicographer, are beautifully combined to tell a story of the discarded words and the dictionary of lost words.Esme has an irrepressible hunger for knowledge about the origins of words and had fully assimilated with the work of the scriptorium, but somehow her mentors just missed it. One word fascinates Esme – “Bondmaid”, which she learns means "slave girl," but as she collects the discarded words Esme realises that a lot of the words and meanings relating to women's and common folks' experiences are often the ones that go unrecorded and discarded. To give the unspoken words a voice and meaning, Esme produces the “Dictionary of lost words” from the rejected scraps of paper found on the floor.This is a unique and original story that was such an interesting read particularly when interwoven with true historical references and the history and process of lexicography. I liked it but did not love it. It just seemed to drag a bit too much in the middle of the book and the themes, whilst good separately, didn't gel together as much as they could have. It needed more menace or intrigue. However, the writing was beautiful but a 3.5 rating.

This is such an easy book to read. A great story about love and family and grief and caring for one another. Set around the Scriptorium, first home of the OED, and the life of great lexicographer James Murray and his team of assistants. A real tear-jerker, it draws the reader in, perfect holiday book. Underpinned by a series of sobering reflections on how language is enabled and limited by gender, power and social class, against the backdrop of the suffragette movement. Highly recommended.