The Dictionary of Lost Words

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 and as of 18 January 2021 it had sold more than 100,000 copies.
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.
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". A write-up in the "Kirkus Reviews" said that "The result is a satisfying amalgam of truth and historical fiction".
Formats.
In addition to being published in standard formats (paperback, ebook, audio book), a dyslexic edition is available. 