Thank you, Penguin Random House, for the gifted copy of the Dictionary of Lost Words!

Genre: Historical Fiction
Era: 1886 – 1989
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 4.6.2021
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆

“Words define us, they explain us, and, on occasion, they serve to control or isolate us.”

As book lovers, we love books about books, but what about books about words and the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. I love finding a historical fiction book that depicts a time or event that I am unfamiliar with. The entire novel then becomes a learning experience, and I am constantly looking up parts of the story for clarification. The Dictionary of Lost Words was certainly that book for me.

Before this story, I hadn’t given the concept any real thought. Yes, dictionaries exist, and apparently, they’ve always existed. Which is incorrect. I loved learning about all of the work that created the dictionary that we are all familiar with. The author, Pip Williams, did an incredible job with her descriptions of the people, places, and struggles that incapsulated this period in history. It was mesmerizing to follow along as Esme grew up and began working on the dictionary. Although her life was not easy, she never gave up.

The Dictionary of Lost Words was the May pick for Reeses Book Club!

I’m giving away a paperback copy of The Dictionary of Lost Words on my Instagram! Head on over to @TheBookend.Diner and see the details on how to enter!

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Book Info
Format: 384 pages, Hardback
Published: April 2022 by Ballantine Books
ISBN 9781925972597 (ISBN10: 1925972593)
Free review copy provided by publisher, Penguin Random House, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.