The Dictionary of Lost Words

Title: The Dictionary of Lost Words

Author: Pip Williams

Genre: Historical

Publisher: Vintage

Date Published: 2022

Book Length: 410

Format: Paperback I purchased myself

Star Rating: 5 ***** I loved it and highly recommend

About Book: Sometimes you have to start with what's lost to truly find yourself...Motherless and irrepressibly curious, Esme spends her childhood at her father's feet as he and his team gather words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary. One day, she sees a slip of paper containing a forgotten word flutter to the floor unclaimed. And so Esme begins to collect words for another dictionary in secret: The Dictionary of Lost Words. But to do so she must journey into a world on the cusp of change as the Great War looms and women fight for the vote. Can the power of lost words from the past finally help her make sense of her future?

My Thoughts: The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams is a beautiful historical novel that captivated me from the start. I love stories, I adore beautiful words, and I find history fascinating—this book felt like the perfect fit.

While the novel follows the story of Esme, a bright and inquisitive child who tries to make sense of the world one word at a time, it is also a rich celebration of language itself. For me, the book is about learning, knowledge, empowerment, and change. It’s the kind of story you can curl up with on a cosy night, a story that wraps itself around you like a comforting blanket.

Pip Williams offers an authentic glimpse into the historical period when the English dictionary was being compiled, doing true justice to the time and its essence. The novel’s power lies in its words. One particular quote stayed with me:“ In response to a question on why she does needlepoint, Lizzie said, ‘I guess I like to keep me hands busy.’ For a moment I forgot what I had asked. ‘And it proves I exist,’ she added. ”This line felt poignant and sad, perfectly capturing the deeper themes of the story.

Esme’s journey is one of growth, curiosity, and, at times, rebellion, and I loved watching her character develop. The novel is both a page-turner and an emotional experience, one that will linger with me for a long time. But be warned—not all words are treated as equal.

If you love books, words, and history, you will fall in love with this novel. It’s a delicious, beautifully written story, full of surprises. I didn’t want it to end.