Review: The Dictionary of Lost Words

The Dictionary of Lost Words is a bibliophile’s dream come true. Through the story of Esme, a fictitious character, we enter the world of the lexicographers who created the first Oxford English Dictionary. It is a wonderful world, revolving around the dreaming spires of Oxford, and regular visits to The Bodleian.
While this novel is an ode to words and their power, it is also an exploration of how our words and their meanings were, for a very long time, dictated by those in power and who had a voice: men. The story spans a time that sees much change: beginning in 1886 at the height of Victorian England, through the First World War and the fight for women’s right to vote.

Ultimately this is a love letter to words, as Esme explains, ‘Words are like stories. They change as they are passed from mouth to mouth; their meanings stretch or truncate to fit what needs to be said.’

As Esme collects words from women, some of whom work in the markets, she learns how language can be empowering, particularly swearing! ‘Some words are more than letters on a page. 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.’

Williams has seamlessly woven the fictional story of Esme’s life through the real time-line of the creation of the 12 volumes of the OED, and we meet the real people who contributed to this extraordinary publication. The Dictionary of Lost Words is an absolute delight, giving life to the people behind this extraordinary endeavour.

• Review
• Pip Williams