This book is supposed to teach children exactly those things in an enchanting way, like a spell book. I highly recommend it to historical fiction and based on real characters fiction fans. It’s quite informative, intense, realistic novel to read and absorb slowly.

It never occurred to me all that went into compiling early dictionaries. Male scholars worked for decades to compile the words and definitions to go into the first Oxford English Dictionary, words and definitions whose final acceptance was at the discretion of the editors of the volumes. This story describes the garden shed in Oxford where real life lexicographer, James Murray, built a Scriptorium, a shed behind his house, where he and his team of scholars could work on amassing words and definitions. Murray and his wife had eleven children who were very involved in Murray's work. Words are the same – there can be no two that mean exactly the same – and a large part of the point of an historical dictionary like the OED is to provide quotes of ‘first uses’ for the shades of meaning that words have. the hard copy includes a b/w photo of the Scriptorium staff and timelines of the making of the OED as well as major historical events featured; Overall, I thought that this book provided some interesting, good food for thought, but it should be been half of its size.the art, the music, the sheer, ravishing beauty of the language... one of the greatest concerts we've ever had at Hay."

And so the re-wilding begins from a grass roots level as readers aspire to bring this book into the hands of our primary school children – with the aim of re-igniting their relationship with their environment. I was waiting to read this in physical form, but when I saw the (full cast) audiobook available...I couldn't help myself!My other criticism is the inconsistencies in the main character. There were times when she would make a decision or speech and it made no sense to how the character had acted or how she had processed her life experiences up till that point. It was as if the writer had decided particular things had to be done or said regardless of whether they fit the character. Not a smooth read. Over time, Esme realises that some words are considered more important than others, and that words and meanings relating to women’s experiences often go unrecorded. While she dedicates her life to the Oxford English Dictionary, secretly, she begins to collect words for another dictionary: The Dictionary of Lost Words. Esme’s mother died, so her father must look after her through the day. Esme is hiding under the placing table, her normal place of residence while her father and fellow lexicographers write the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, adding words, definitions. It is a tiring laborious process. It is from this “hiding place” under the table that Esme “steals” her first word. The slip of paper containing the word “Bondmaid” flutters down and lands in front of Esme who snatches it, not knowing the consequences that her actions will have in the future.

In the beginning of the book, I started to bore , but then it took off like wildfire. I was then absorbed until the end and I’m sure it had to be tedious sorting through and explaining the history of the dictionary and real time line events along with a story.Phosphorescence' wins 2021 ABIA Book of the Year". Books+Publishing. 28 April 2021 . Retrieved 29 April 2021. All over the country, there are words disappearing from children's lives. Words like Dandelion, Otter, Bramble, Acorn and Lark represent the natural world of childhood, a rich landscape of discovery and imagination that is fading from children's minds. After reading, based on the recommendation from a good friend, Simon Winchester's The Surgeon of Crowthorne: a tale of murder, madness & the love of words (published in the US as The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary), Williams was left with the distinct impression that "the Dictionary was a particularly male endeavor" — as she writes in the Author's Note at the end. She soon "gleans ... all the editors were men ... most of the literature, manuals, and newspaper articles used as evidence for how words were used, were written by men." And thus began her foundation and the desire to create something of her own here: It was announced in November 2022 that a collaboration between filmmakers Lisa Scott of Highview Productions and Rebecca Summerton of Closer Productions (who in 2019 collaborated on The Hunting) had bought the rights to adapt the book for a television series. [8] [12] Williams is co- executive producer, along with Alex Dimos and Andrew Nunn, while Anton Andreacchio is producer of the series. [13]

The book spans from 1887 to the epilogue in 1989. Therefore, Williams also covers the period of The Great War and the effect it had on every facet of life. All the able-bodied men were raring to go, some thinking it would all be over in weeks. None of them prepared for the terrible nightmare they were doomed to become trapped in. The war itself proves to be a repository. Esme visits an infirmary where wounded soldiers provide yet more words for the fledgling dictionary. Through the main character, Esme, we follow the day to day work of the lexicographers, spend some interesting time with the Women's Suffrage Movement, and eventually experience the horrors of the first World War. Esme is a fictional character but I am sure she epitomises many women who lived through that time.The rule of dictionary is if a word is commonly spoken, but not commonly written, then it will not be included. Esme argues this rule. For while a few of the author's selection might indeed perhaps not be as commonly used anymore as they were in the past (such as newt, adder and bramble, for example), the entire list (and at least from where I stand) most definitely does NOT contain ANY nouns that are truly disappearing out of common English usage. And indeed, in my opinion, most of us, and yes even children, would or at least should be cognizant of what words like dandelion, starling and magpie are and mean and the author calling these words "lost" and insinuating that they are even totally disappearing from English language, well I for one do claim that this is simply not correct, not the truth and also majorly do fault Robert Macfarlane for even suggesting this (and without either adequate proof or cited sources at that).