By Kaylie Seed
Content warning: giving up a baby for adoption
Pip Williams’s latest novel The Dictionary of Lost Words explores the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary, the misogyny behind it, and its role in our history. The Dictionary of Lost Words follows Esme Nicholl throughout her life, depicting how the creation of the dictionary has influenced her growing up. Esme begins collecting words that are not found in the dictionary, mostly due to their nature of being about or said by women. As time goes on Esme continues to collect these words and defines them in hopes that one day they will be remembered as part of our language's history. Part coming-of-age, part historical fiction, The Dictionary of Lost Words takes the reader through decades of the dictionary’s beginning while following Esme’s journey, as well as historical events that took place at the same time.
Williams includes a lot throughout The Dictionary of Lost Words and because of that the reader may feel lost at times. There are a lot of things going on, including various time jumps that happen suddenly. Because of this, the novel drags on yet feels rushed at the same time. It feels as if Williams wanted to include as much information as possible without omitting any significant historical events, while also showing off Esme’s entire life and including her own important events. At the same time, The Dictionary of Lost Words skims over some plot points that feel important and spends too much time on others that feel redundant, leaving the reader confused as to what they should be feeling. There is a lot happening and the reader may feel overwhelmed at times. It would’ve been neat to have seen this story unfold in a trilogy rather than one novel due to the number of plot points and content throughout the story.
The Dictionary of Lost Words focuses on women’s voices and how they deserve to be heard. Williams has created a unique story based on real events, and some characters are based on real people as well. Overall, the story is beautiful and interesting enough to captivate the reader, but they may find it a slow read where they need to pay attention to various plot points. Readers who enjoy history or who are fascinated by the English language will find that this is an interesting read.
Thank you to Penguin Random House for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review!