Some books invite you to witness history. The Dictionary of Lost Words lets you rewrite it—one word at a time.
Pip Williams takes us into the heart of early 20th-century Oxford, where a young girl named Esme grows up in the scriptorium, the place where the first Oxford English Dictionary is being compiled.
But as Esme notices, not every word makes it into the dictionary—especially words used by women and the marginalized. And so begins her quiet rebellion: to collect those “lost” words and give them the meaning and dignity they deserve.
The Story Behind the Story
Set in late Victorian England, the novel follows Esme Nicoll, a young girl who grows up literally beneath the tables where male scholars compile the first Oxford English Dictionary. When Esme witnesses a slip of paper containing the word "bondmaid" fall to the floor and disappear into the archives forever, she begins to understand that language itself can be a form of power—and exclusion.
Williams masterfully weaves together the true history of the OED's creation with an imagined narrative that asks crucial questions: Who decides which words matter? Whose experiences deserve to be preserved in language? The novel spans decades, following Esme as she grows from curious child to passionate collector of the words that official dictionaries deemed unworthy of inclusion.
A Love Letter to Language
At its heart, this novel is a celebration of language's power to preserve, transform, and heal. Esme's "Dictionary of Lost Words" becomes more than a collection—it's an act of resistance against erasure, a testament to the importance of every voice and every story.
Williams' prose itself demonstrates the beauty of carefully chosen words. Her writing is both accessible and lyrical, creating an immersive experience that makes readers acutely aware of language's power and fragility.
Why This Novel Will Stay With You:
“Words define us, they explain us, and, sometimes, they bind us.”
- It’s a story of the invisible shaping the visible—of how language reflects power, gender, and class.
- Through Esme’s eyes, you’ll question which voices history preserves… and which it erases.
- It’s not just for language lovers—it’s for anyone who’s ever felt unseen or unheard.
A Passage to Remember:
"Words are like stories, don’t you think, Esme? They change depending on who is telling them." — The Dictionary of Lost Words
If you loved The Book Thief, The Paris Library, or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, this novel belongs on your shelf.
Because sometimes, saving a single word can save an entire story.
