The Dictionary of Lost Words: A Novel By Pip Williams

In "The Dictionary of Lost Words," the enchanting tale unfolds in 1901 as Esme, born into a world of words, discovers the omission of 'Bondmaid' from the Oxford English Dictionary. Raised in the Scriptorium, a haven for lexicographers, Esme's curiosity sparks a secret collection of overlooked words. Hidden beneath the sorting table, she rescues and stashes words discarded or neglected, creating her own dictionary—the Dictionary of Lost Words.

Esme's journey, set against the backdrop of the suffrage movement and the impending Great War, unravels a narrative overlooked in history, one shaped by men. As she dedicates her life to the Oxford English Dictionary, Esme clandestinely curates a lexicon capturing women's experiences, revealing the power of language to shape our world.

The novel is a delightful, lyrical celebration of words, exploring how some words are deemed more significant than others. Through Esme's eyes, it offers a profound reflection on the importance of acknowledging and preserving the language of women.

"The Dictionary of Lost Words" is a thought-provoking journey that illuminates the hidden stories within language and the unrecorded narratives that shape our understanding of the world. With depth and charm, it stands as a testament to the enduring impact of words and their ability to influence the human experience. 📚❤️