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The Dictionary of Lost Words

Williams, Pip, 1969- Book - 2020 Fiction / Williams, Pip, Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Williams, Pip None on shelf 30 requests on 5 copies Community Rating: 4.1 out of 5

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"Originally published in Australia by Affirm Press in 2020." -- title page verso.
Prologue: February 1886 -- Part 1: 1887-1896. Batten-distrustful -- Part 2: 1897-1901. Distrustfully-kyx -- Part 3: 1902-1907. Lap-nywe -- Part 4: 1907-1913. Polygenous-sorrow -- Part 5: 1914-1915. Speech-sullen -- Part 6: 1928. Wise-wyzen -- Epilogue: Adelaide, 1989.
"The Dictionary of Lost Words is a work of fiction. All incidents and dialogue, and all characters with the exception of some well-known historical figures, are products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Before the lost word, there was another. It arrived at the Scriptorium in a second-hand envelope, the old address crossed out and Dr Murray, Sunnyside, Oxford, written in its place. It was Da's job to open the post and mine to sit on his lap, like a queen on her throne, and help him ease each word out of its folded cradle. He'd tell me what pile to put it on and sometimes he'd pause, cover my hand with his, and guide my finger up and down and around the letters, sounding them into my ear. He'd say the word, and I would echo it, then he'd tell me what it meant"-- Provided by publisher.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Loved the main character submitted by bcartm01 on June 17, 2022, 11:08pm I enjoyed hearing the heroine’s story and appreciated the historical events and characters that were woven throughout. I also loved learning about the formation of the dictionary and how much work it took to publish each letter.

Interesting submitted by cldaniels on July 5, 2022, 2:55pm I loved how the main character found her way to value and acknowledge the words of the world outside the realm of the elite men creating the dictionary.

Interesting premise, story dragged on... submitted by smgop on June 30, 2023, 12:32am I eagerly awaited this book, because I LOVE words and the OED. The story line plodded on, the heroine lost her morals, and I ended up abandoning the book. Oh well.

Great start and idea submitted by kath on August 15, 2023, 8:03am The plot line and non-fiction aspects of the plot are great. The story of the OED and how culture is defined by our language. I hoped the plot line would not become predicable - but alas . . .

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PUBLISHED
New York : Ballantine Books, [2020]
Year Published: 2020
Description: 376 pages : map ; 25 cm
Language: English
Format: Book

ISBN/STANDARD NUMBER
9780593160190

SUBJECTS
New English dictionary on historical principles -- Fiction.
Oxford English dictionary -- Fiction.
Lexicographers -- Fiction.
Words -- Fiction.
Reading -- Fiction.
Fathers and daughters -- Fiction.
Biographical fiction.