Reviews

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

mermandy's review against another edition

2.0

I was really looking forward to reading this, however it was REALLY hard to get into. I didn’t feel like the plot took off until about ⅔ of the way through. The story ultimately did make me think about how words and their meanings are influenced by culture and those in power. I just wish the story had started sooner.

tana02's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative sad slow-paced

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

3.0

jennakaroliina's review against another edition

emotional informative sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

lya3's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

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

4.0

mairiairi's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Really liked it. Wouldn't put it on par with my favorite books, and probably won't be a reread. But it's what I need at the moment and bc of that it's nice to have read it.

Reminded me of "Island of the Blue Dolphins", the simple, straightforward way of writing that says so much with so little.

It's well written, though at times too crass or modern for me to be fully immersed, but it's got a great rhythm and flow to it. I underlined so many quotes that were sweet to stumble upon, like a lil balm to my soul haha

There's not a whole lot of character growth or development even as she's getting older. I was surprised when it said she was 25 bc she was still acting the same as 15. She does have some areas of growth, but not as noticeable as would have been nice. It's not plot driven at all, so it's weird that a book supposedly driven by character development would lack sm in that department. She often is surprised at how she doesn't take an interest in those around her, but she never starts to even after those (multiple) observations. So not sure what to think on that front. Maybe it's not about character or plot, it's just about words.

I did think it was sad to realize just how often we see old pictures but never get to know the people in those pictures.

By the end of the book, so many of the main characters of the book that we've gotten to know and love so intimately have passed away. And seeing those memories (and all that Esme ever was) through the eyes of Meg, a virtual stranger, is so jarring and saddening. To think that the personalities and stories and memories are all gone and no one but those people will ever know what they once were, what they once did. The personalities and the fun memories and the sweet gestures. All lost to time, gone in an instant. No one left to remember. It makes me think of Coco, and it's extremely sad to think about, so I don't think I will :D

Def would recommend to people who like history and words, and want a light(ish) fictional account of both.

phelps2519's review against another edition

4.0

Overall, just a warm book that puts you back in time. As a 20yo man it was an eye opener into just how disadvantaged women were in the 19th and 20th century and their fight to even get the right to vote.

Was recommended this book and went in with an idea of what it was about (words and missing words referring to women), though this book was much more than that.

4 stars because there is a few ‘downers’ where it can be a little flat, but this doesn’t take away too much of what a great book this is.

rkrause's review against another edition

informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

leaanna_l's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted sad slow-paced

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

4.0

took me rly long to finish because i was rly busy with school 😭😭

anyways i didn't expect this book to be SO emotional, it nearly brought me to tears. 

i loved the story so so so much!! oh my god. following esme as she grew up in the scrippy and grew into a young woman who tried to find her place in society while facing injustice as a woman and debating wheter or not she shall join the sufragettes was amazing. i loved her bond with words and the way she kept them safe.

also gareth deserved a happy ending 😭💔 esme deserved to be happy with him. 

brynk's review against another edition

medium-paced

5.0

nermrlib's review against another edition

5.0

Years ago, I was mesmerized by Simon Winchester's The Professor and the Madman. This book tells "the rest of the story" of how the dictionary came to be. Any dictionary, etymology, or general word lover will enjoy and appreciate this new title. I did not want the story to end, and to find that it was based on true events made it even more appealing. HIghly recommended.