Reviews

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

bzzzzzz's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

I've never considered how much work a dictionary would be!

jelenakp's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

eenagy87's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

4parkerlane's review against another edition

emotional informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Loved it. Very well written, very well researched. Not a fast paced book but well worth a read. 

kendyl180's review against another edition

4.0

4.5⭐️, teetering on the edge of 5⭐️. I might just give it 5 after it all steeps in my brain a bit more.
I loved this book. Characters are well thought out and beautiful in their experiences and relationships. The whole history of the Oxford Dictionary is one I have never given any thought to. The author’s interview at the end also gave me some additions for my TBR shelf.

lou_mac's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I enjoyed this book on the whole, though I would have liked a little more joy scattered throughout it, rather than constant sadness for a big chunk!

I loved the idea of seeing the world through different words, and the challenging of concepts around what makes a word 'proper', and who gets to decide its meaning.

The characters were lovely - the centering of female friendships was delightful, the work place colleagues felt real and the way the relationships grew and became strong were lovely. The relationships (all types) are all really healthy too -and it's really lovely to read a book where the lead woman isn't abused in some way, Esme certainly doesn't have smooth sailing but it isn't abusive. 

I definitely picked it up thinking it would be a light read, and I don't think it falls into that category - I did cry more than once. 

hellbent's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition

challenging informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

caitlin_hire's review against another edition

challenging inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

tahnee's review against another edition

4.0

Such a beautiful and unique read!