39 pages • 1 hour read
Pip WilliamsThe Dictionary of Lost Words
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams follows Esme Nicoll, who grows up around the compilation of the first Oxford English Dictionary. As Esme matures, she collects discarded words, especially those marginalized by the dictionary's male editors. Her journey intersects with the women's suffrage movement and World War I, ultimately leading her to create a dictionary of women’s words. Topics include abusive schooling, sexual encounters, pregnancy, and abortion.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Pip Williams' The Dictionary of Lost Words captivates with its rich historical context and engaging narrative centered around the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. Readers commend the well-developed characters and the exploration of women's contributions to language. However, some critics find the pacing uneven and the plot occasionally predictable. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and moving read.
Who Should Read The Dictionary of Lost Words?
A reader who would enjoy The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams is likely a lover of historical fiction and linguistics, who appreciates novels like The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. This reader enjoys richly woven narratives that explore the intersection of history, language, and women’s roles.