Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

2 reviews

liesthemoontells's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was competent, enjoyable historical fiction. The main character was flawed but endearing, and the interweaving of real historical events into her life, especially suffragism, was particularly well done.

I found the second half of this book
after the MC gives away her baby
far more compelling than the first half. This was the point where the book stopped treading water in historical accuracy about the creation of the dictionary, and allowed the MC high-stakes, emotional resonance beyond the historical framing.

I thought the author was successful in depicting a range of women's experiences across different classes, and I have respect for her ability to not get bogged down in her research and prevent it from letting her characters engage in her world building. She gave her characters engaging and believable personalities and allowed their actions space to impact the setting.

The long timeline of the book meant that it felt very jumpy, and it was hard to keep up with the sudden shifts in age. I also found the ending strange - rushed, abrupt, and not entirely earned.

Overall this was a decent book, but it didn't leave much of an impact on me.
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ntvenessa's review against another edition

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

2.5

I detested the first half, and then found it adequate by the end. I think the historical account and critique of dictionary making was done sufficiently, although without revelation beyond what is already broadly agreed in linguistics (although I am biased as I am linguistically trained, and perhaps these are not moot points to someone who is not). Ultimately I think its integration with a fictionalised story was its downfall. It simply wasn't convincing, and the tone was jarring. Especially when the author is writing from the first person voice of a child in 19th century England through the lens of a 21st century feminist moralist (but who am I to judge what a 19th century English child would sound like). To some extent you have to suspend your disbelief when reading historical fiction, but there is a fine line and too often events seemed to me too far fetched, too convenient, too formulaic. Bar one turn of events, the plot was rather too convenient. The writing was inelegant. It was not immersive. It is a sign of a clumsy novel when you can anticipate the plot devices as they come. It's like watching a rehearsal as opposed to opening night. I often felt that the crux of what needed to be said could have been compressed -- this is a novel written without economy of language and this I think is to its detriment. While it dilutes what I imagine to be points the author makes (and valid ones at that), I suppose it does also make the writing more accessible. All things said the latter half of the novel hit a chord, not for its storytelling but for its subject matter, which may also mean something to you, if you have ever
grieved
. Maybe this book just wasn't for me, but maybe it's for you?
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