Scan barcode
katharina90's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
This novel conveyed a love for words and language while exploring the creation of the first Oxford English Dictionary.
I enjoyed this historical backdrop and was excited by the premise of a fictional companion dictionary of "lost words" aka entries rejected mostly for sexist and classist reasons.
What fell felt for me was the plot and characters. Everyone was fairly one-dimensional and relationships superficial. The plot was slow moving for the most part, but oddly rushed at times that feel crucial.
Ultimately I think what bothered me the most was that the many tragic developments towards the end didn't serve a purpose that was satisfying to me, so the heartbreak felt pointless or at least unnecessary.
I enjoyed this historical backdrop and was excited by the premise of a fictional companion dictionary of "lost words" aka entries rejected mostly for sexist and classist reasons.
What fell felt for me was the plot and characters. Everyone was fairly one-dimensional and relationships superficial. The plot was slow moving for the most part, but oddly rushed at times that feel crucial.
Ultimately I think what bothered me the most was that the many tragic developments towards the end didn't serve a purpose that was satisfying to me, so the heartbreak felt pointless or at least unnecessary.
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Sexism, Death of parent, War, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Colonisation
lizi8's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kate_marie86's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
kirahaynes's review against another edition
4.0
Read for my book club
( the list I’m adding is my things to bring up in book club so it’s kinda all jumbled around)
- I felt like I should’ve known more of the dictionary words and meanings
- I found esme and her dads relationship triggering and I was waiting for him to hurt her
- Strange ( in a good way) that esme wasn’t sexualised by her dads coworkers as a child and me crane was just found her annoying ( still sexist though)
- I was so sad whenever she mentioned her daughter and the loss she felt
- Cried when her dad died
- I loved when she described the women of Jericho adopting the wounded local soldiers as they would if the guy was their family and hoping for positive news
- Gareth’s letter broke my heart and made me cry
- Cried at the end
- Glad we got to see who Megan grew up to be even is esme didn’t
( the list I’m adding is my things to bring up in book club so it’s kinda all jumbled around)
- I felt like I should’ve known more of the dictionary words and meanings
- I found esme and her dads relationship triggering and I was waiting for him to hurt her
- Strange ( in a good way) that esme wasn’t sexualised by her dads coworkers as a child and me crane was just found her annoying ( still sexist though)
- I was so sad whenever she mentioned her daughter and the loss she felt
- Cried when her dad died
- I loved when she described the women of Jericho adopting the wounded local soldiers as they would if the guy was their family and hoping for positive news
- Gareth’s letter broke my heart and made me cry
- Cried at the end
- Glad we got to see who Megan grew up to be even is esme didn’t
anne_with_an_e's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jen5562's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.0
sminismoni's review against another edition
2.0
Oh god, how slow, how boring. Two dimensional characters, themes laboured on and on with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. The heavy handed poignant writing style. Really, really over-rated
indium's review against another edition
4.0
Not the novel I was expecting, but it pulled on my heart strings. Without spoiling it, the first third was much lighter (this was what I was expecting) than the more sorrowful ending. I love seeing the research that went behind it and the change of perspective than which is usually told.
cookewitch's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Well I loved The Bookbinder of Jericho, and I loved this!!!
I highly recommend to check out this author if you love historical fiction, books and words ❣️
📖📚📖
I highly recommend to check out this author if you love historical fiction, books and words ❣️
📖📚📖