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A review by lou_mac
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
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.
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.