The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

"Some words are more than letters on a page, don't you think? They have shape and texture. They are like bullets, full of energy, and when you give one breath you can feel its sharp edge against your lip. It can be quite cathartic in the right context."

             -Sarah Brooks, from the novel

In the late 1800's/early 19's, Esme Nicoll is growing up at the Scriptorium in Oxford. Her father is a lexicographer working on the development of the Oxford English Dictionary under the leadership of Dr. James Murray, an actual historic figure. Esme's "job" as a child is to sit under the worktable and collect lost words. A very curious and precocious youngster, she soon discovers that some words are neglected or disposed of by the all-male team, especially those pertaining to women. She undertakes the project of collecting such words in a trunk which she labels The Dictionary of Lost Words.

The author adds historical context by having Esme become involved in the suffragist movement and the lead up to WWI. I very much enjoyed the Author's Note where Ms.Williams describes the facts that inspire this historical fiction. Amazon says the novel is "a deeply thought-provoking celebration of the power of words to shape the world." I agree and rate the book a 3. I look forward to the discussion by our Page Turners group in a few weeks.

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Sixteen Page Turners met to discuss this, our January selection. The average rating was 3.3, with most members finding something to like and not much to love. It was agreed there were likeable characters, especially Esme, Lizzie and Gareth. There were substantial references to historical events, making it a worthwhile read although some participants found it tedious and/or depressing. A significant amount of discussion centered on the question of words included or excluded from a dictionary and how they have changed over time. I remembered a wedding gift from one of my husband's friends was a dictionary with the inscription "If you must have words, use these." What a unique gift!