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mels_reading_log's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I had never really given much thought to how the dictionary was written and the proof that was needed for a word to be included. This book is fictional but tells the real process of writing the Oxford English Dictionary, the amount of people involved and how many years it took to complete. The main character of Esme was fictional but she grows up with her father working on the words of the dictionary and sees how certain words are left out. Words that are used by people who are not well educated white men. So she starts to collect other words, those of the poor, uneducated and disenfranchised.
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Body horror, Racism, Slavery, and Abortion
littleobsidian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Pregnancy and War
Moderate: Sexism, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Minor: Body horror
orlagal's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
thumbeleia's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Infertility, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Alcohol
friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Mental illness, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Body horror, Cursing, Infertility, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
molly16's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
As someone who's felt some of the deep grief detailed in the book, it's as much an exploration of grief as it is an exploration of who decides what words are worth defining. Completely five out of five stars.
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Hate crime, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Abortion, and Injury/Injury detail
Additional note: there is extensive discussion ofellenwilberg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent
teamoxfordcomma's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Calling all word/language lovers – this spellbinding historical fiction debut has gorgeous writing, dynamic characters, and a memorable storyline. Based on the true events of creating the Oxford English Dictionary, this is an empowering novel that will forever make you ponder our words and how they came to be.
I was moved by this story in profound ways. It made me smile, cry, hope, dream, and mourn. Really, I can't say enough good things about the writing, the characters, or the richly researched details. Esme's passion for words is something many of us can relate to, but given her historical context, it's even more remarkable. I was entranced while reading, and I now want to flip to the beginning and read again, this time with a highlighter and pen in hand to mark my favorite quotations. Moments of deep academic thought were paired so nicely with snippets of tenderness. Gareth and Da were my two favorite supporting characters, though I do love Ditte and Lizzie as well... Carefully and masterfully developed scenes, characters, and timelines make this book one hell of a read.
How we define language defines us, and this novel is a glittering example of how important that task really is. I cannot reccomend it enough. (Selected as my May '21 staff pick.)
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Body horror and Pregnancy
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Rape
TWs were handled with care and tact – listed here moreso as courtesy than concern of their negligence.