Naomi Weisman is the writer and editor of Nomi's Pics in our Rambler Café Blog. She is a Canadian-Australian and mother of three who loves to ramble with her dog, cook for family and friends, and laugh whenever possible.
Introduction
Chosen for its rich themes, lyrical storytelling, and empowering message, The Dictionary of Lost Words is a perfect fit for the Sole Sister Ramblers. Just like our group values shared stories, strong women, and meaningful reflection, this novel invites us to explore the hidden histories and overlooked voices behind one of the most iconic literary achievements—the Oxford English Dictionary.
Through the eyes of Esme, a bright and observant girl growing up in the margins of academia, Pip Williams brings to life a world where words carry deep meaning—and where some are left behind. This book is a celebration of language, memory, and the quiet power of women shaping history from the shadows. Whether you're walking trails or turning pages, this story reminds us of the importance of preserving voices that too often go unheard.
About the Author
Pip Williams was born in London in 1969 and moved to Sydney, Australia, with her family in 1972. Her upbringing was shaped by a multicultural background—her Brazilian mother was a part-time hairdresser, and her Welsh father, a computer analyst, also wrote children’s stories and jokes and was an advocate for gender equality. Williams now lives in the Adelaide Hills and has worked as a researcher and writer. She wrote much of her debut novel, The Dictionary of Lost Words, in the State Library of South Australia, drawing inspiration from its complete first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. The novel became a bestseller upon its release in 2020 and won several prestigious awards, including the Australian Book Industry Award for General Fiction and the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction. It has since been adapted for the stage and is being developed into a television series.
Book Summary
Set in early 20th-century Oxford, The Dictionary of Lost Words follows Esme, a curious and observant girl raised among the lexicographers compiling the first Oxford English Dictionary. Spending her childhood beneath the sorting table of the “Scriptorium,” Esme begins to notice that certain words—particularly those relating to women’s lives and experiences—are overlooked or deliberately excluded. When she finds the discarded word “bondmaid,” she begins collecting these lost and forgotten words in secret.
As she grows, Esme’s journey intertwines with the women’s suffrage movement and the looming backdrop of World War I. Through her personal collection, she assembles a parallel dictionary that seeks to preserve the language of those marginalized and ignored.
This lyrical and thought-provoking novel explores the power of language, the importance of whose stories get told, and how words shape our understanding of the world.
Themes to Ponder
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Language and Power: How language reflects societal hierarchies and who decides which words are “worthy.”
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Feminism and Voice: The silencing of women and the reclamation of their stories through language.
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Memory and History: Whose stories get recorded, and whose are lost.
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Class and Gender: The contrast between Esme’s world and that of Lizzie, a servant, and how their lives intertwine.
Discussion Questions
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What does The Dictionary of Lost Words tell us about power?
Who has the authority to define words, and how does that shape society? -
How do you think not having a mother influenced Esme’s life and her choices?
How does this absence echo throughout her personal and professional development? -
Why do you think Williams chose to create Esme as a fictional character set within a real historical timeline?
How does this blend of fact and fiction impact the story? -
Is the ending of the book satisfying or just? Do the characters get what they deserve?
Reflect on whether the conclusion fits the story’s themes and tone. -
How are Esme and Lizzie shaped by their different backgrounds?
In what ways are their experiences and expectations similar or different? -
Do you think linguistic inequality still exists today?
Consider how language reflects modern power dynamics—who uses certain words, and who is judged for them?
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