The Dictionary of Lost Words

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The Dictionary of Lost Words
The Dictionary of Lost Words cover.png
AuthorPip Williams
Cover artistLisa White
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Genrenovel
PublisherAffirm Press, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Publication date
31 March 2020
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages384
ISBN9781925972597

The Dictionary of Lost Words is the debut novel by Australian writer Pip Williams. It was sixth on the list of Australian fiction bestsellers for 2020[1] and as of 18 January 2021 it had sold more than 100,000 copies.[2]

Plot summary[]

Esme's mother died giving her birth, so she is brought up by her father. She spends her childhood under the table in the Scriptorium, where James Murray and his team of lexicographers, including her father, are compiling the Oxford English Dictionary. Over time she discovers that words in common use, particularly those used by and about women, are not included.[3]

Reception[]

In reviewing the book for The Sydney Morning Herald, Jo Case says "In The Dictionary of Lost Words, Pip Williams combines the storytelling scale and intimate detail of a 19th-century novel with the sensibility of now – and a cast of richly realised characters and relationships that are a pleasure to spend time with".[3] A write-up in the Kirkus Reviews said that "The result is a satisfying amalgam of truth and historical fiction".[4]

Awards[]

Formats[]

In addition to being published in standard formats (paperback, ebook, audio book), a dyslexic edition is available.[13]

References[]

  1. ^ "Dalton, Pape, Bluey top Australian bestsellers 2020". Books+Publishing. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  2. ^ "'The Dictionary of Lost Words' cracks 100k". Books+Publishing. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b Case, Jo (8 May 2020). "A few words in your ear about gender, dictionaries and kindness". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  4. ^ "The Dictionary of Lost Words". Kirkus Reviews. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Williams wins 2021 MUD Literary Prize". Books+Publishing. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  6. ^ "'The Dictionary of Lost Words' wins 2021 Indie Book of the Year". Books+Publishing. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  7. ^ Steger, Jason (5 March 2021). "Great Scott, here come the Australian novelists". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Australians comprise majority of Walter Scott Prize shortlist". Books+Publishing. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  9. ^ "NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2021 shortlists announced". Books+Publishing. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  10. ^ "NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2021 winners announced". Books+Publishing. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  11. ^ "'Eight jobs at once and no sick days': $60,000 prizes a welcome relief for young writer". www.abc.net.au. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  12. ^ "'Phosphorescence' wins 2021 ABIA Book of the Year". Books+Publishing. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  13. ^ Williams, Pip (2020), The dictionary of lost words (Dyslexic edition), ReadHowYouWant, retrieved 23 March 2021
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