Hatty’s Reading Corner

Dedicated to Penny Flack

Collecting Words                   

March 2024

Hello everyone!

As you can see we have moved into a new home. I hope everyone is okay with this. I just want to introduce myself in case we have any new readers on this fun, exciting tour of literature and life.

If you are wondering, ‘What on earth is Hatty on about?’ Don’t panic! All will become clear.

Before starting this blog I used to have another blog about books, it was called ‘Hatty’s Page Turners’. In its pages you could find out about what I had been up to and what I thought about books selected by me. And most importantly, you my readers.

I did enjoy writing that one, however, I fancied a change.

I can promise you that the only things to change will be:

The Title

And the webpage

By moving my library I hope to make it easier for YOU to access.  Why don’t you open the door and give it a try?

What you can also expect includes

Hearing about my love of all things theatre

Some of the things I have been cooking with my Personal Assistants, as we like to always try new things! I can’t wait to show you the Crumble Pots!

NB Those of you that know me from Hatty’s Page Turners will know that I have a physical disability but that doesn’t stop me living my life. If you have travelled with me from the old blog, some of you may remember, I went all the way to America on the Queen Mary II!

And of course as I mentioned the book reviews themselves!

Okay, are we ready to put that first book on the shelf?

Today’s read comes from my Aunty Penny! Thank you starting us off.

Author: Pip Williams

Book: The Dictionary of Lost Words

Publishing House: Penguin Random House UK

Imprint: Vintage

Date of Review = 22^nd February 2024

After reading this novel, I realized that every word has a place and a reason for being in use today in the English language. What I mean by that is every single word is precious. We should always treat what we say with care and the emotion it deserves. The context of words also has it’s very own power in this narrative.

When I started this story I did struggle with the way it was written. I think it was the way that each chapter moves the characters on in time and there has been a gap of years for every section. You start in Victorian Britain and end in 1915. It follows the trajectory of the Dictionary. I can see why Pip Williams has done this now, otherwise her book may be as big as the Dictionary itself!

The narrative follows the fictional Esme as she grows up around the real men and women who helped to make the First Editions of the Oxford English Dictionary. She realizes that there are words missing from that Dictionary and makes her own in a hidden. She collects words used by everyday people, some of which are already in the Dictionary and adds a brand  new meaning she has discovered.

I like how Esme helps make sure ladies are in her Dictionary and gives them a voice, like Lizzie, the housemaid who gives Esme the word “KNACKERED”, or Mabel, who gives her all the rude ones. Esme puts the words on her slips of paper then quotes the person who gave her the word.

Let me give you an example of my own.

WORDSMITH

A person who shows skill at using words.

“My mum says I am a Wordsmith. “

Hatty Greenway 2024

I can see myself in Esme, I have always loved words and want to look after them. What Williams does so well is she personifies every word Esme cherishes and breathes life into as if I, the reader am watching it grow and gain power. It is super clever.

I have another character who I really enjoyed reading about in this book. That is Edith Thompson, who was an integral volunteer for the Dictionary. In Williams drawing of her, she helps Esme when she needs her the most and gives her strength. This is not just a story about words and their tangibility but also the sound of women’s voices coming through in a male dominated world.

Thank you for that recommendation Penny. This is a book that I wouldn’t have thought to pick up. If you, like me, like history reimagined then I think you would like this. Or maybe, you like to see how the meanings of words change with time? Then give this a try.

It’s almost time to put this book back on the shelf….

But, just before I want to ask you to please comment on this blog with ideas for what we can review next. I do a recommendation! J  If you have also read today’s choice, let me know what you thought of it. I can’t wait to share more adventures in Hatty’s Reading Corner soon! See you in the next Chapter.