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The Dictionary of Lost Words posted by Robyn

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams is told through the eyes of Esme, a motherless girl raised by her father, who is a lexicographer working on the very first Oxford English Dictionary during the turn to the 20th century. Esme spends her early childhood years sitting under the table at the Scriptorium, a garden shed where her dad and a dedicated team of men work under supervisor Dr. Murray.  She is fascinated by words and their meanings, and influences the dictionary in a roundabout way as she saves, creates, and collects notes on words that she feels should be included.  Esme is very close to her father, but is she is also surrounded by several women she befriends in her life. Family friend Aunt Ditte, servant Nettie, outlandish local thespian Tilda, Mabel - the vulgar woman working at the local market who supplies Esme with many colorful words, Dr. Murray’s daughters, and her aunt’s friend Sarah, all play significant roles.  These women also contribute to the dictionary’s words in their everyday conversations, as Esme writes them down and collects them in a special box.  This story is based on the creation of the first OED, with several historical figures represented.  Esme is a fictional character who experiences many historical events in her lifetime, including the women’s suffrage movement and WWI. This is a fascinating story about the behind the scenes production of the first dictionary and what that may have looked like – words and their meanings should never be taken for granted!

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Robyn’s Picks, Historical Fiction

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