Book Review: The Dictionary of Lost Words
There are so many excellent Australian writers.
I have been enjoying the works of mainly Australian writers over the past months, and it has been an incredible adventure!
I take the liberty to give Pip Willaims honorary Aussie status for her work “The Dictionary of Lost Words.”
A different tone and voice speak from their pages. There is a warmth, intellect and humour slightly different to storytellers from other places. They eloquently weave soul and heart through a thoughtful arrangement and choice of words that are real yet magical.
I love the authenticity that flows from their pages to settle in my heart and mind.
One of these books is “The Dictionary of Lost Words.” While we can’t claim Pip Williams as an Aussie writer, given she was born in the UK. Still, I wonder if her life in our beautiful Australia has in some way coloured her words and perspective when writing this wonderful novel. So I happily take the liberty of including Pip as an honorary Aussie.
Words have always fascinated me, and I have spent many hours with them, so on reading the title of this book, I was at once entranced.
Samantha Bell (on The Dictionary of Lost Words)
Essymay (Esme), the Scriptorium, Da, and Lizzie live an important journey. They gently, intuitively welcome you along with them, so you feel right at home.
The underlying theme is the troubles and triumphs of women throughout history and their relentless quest to be heard and shown equality in a world designed and ruled by “old white men”. We are shown both how far we have come in our modern world and how much further we still have to travel.
This story beautifully shows the power and importance of words and their use to impact, improve and inspire our lived experience in our world.
I just loved The Dictionary of Lost Words and felt bereft knowing it had come to an end. But that is the beauty of words bound in a book. They will call to me to renew our acquaintance when the moment is right, ready to enchant me all over again.