The Dictionary of Lost Words

Have you ever felt that some words, and the people who use them, are deliberately left out of history? Discover a hidden story of language, loss, and the power of women's voices, tucked away in the margins of the first Oxford English Dictionary. You'll follow the journey of Esme, a curious girl who grows up in the Scriptorium where the dictionary is being created. As she collects the words that men have discarded or deemed unimportant—especially those used by women—you'll uncover a secret, alternative dictionary. This is a tale about finding your own voice and ensuring that no story is ever truly lost.

Pip Williams is the internationally bestselling author of The Dictionary of Lost Words, a celebrated novel born from her PhD research into the history of the Oxford English Dictionary. Her work unearths the hidden stories of women whose contributions have often been overlooked by history. This passion for giving voice to the voiceless grew from her own experiences in social research and shines through in her meticulously researched and deeply heartfelt fiction, inspiring readers around the world.