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A review by alexblackreads
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
3.0
This was the most middling book. Like it was super quick to get through and I didn't dislike it, but it was thoroughly unimpressive in every way. I read this for a book club and we were all pretty much in agreement that it was shallowly enjoyable, but not very good.
Main issues because I'm lazy:
1. Nothing was developed. It felt like issue after issue was being thrown at the reader. Random abuse at school- never developed. Depression- suddenly cured. Random unlikable man- he's gone, never to be mentioned again. Death- so sad, but totally fine don't worry no one really cares. Don't want to get into spoiler territory, but there were so many major events that randomly popped up just to be dropped. It didn't feel like they had any real effect on the story.
2. It felt like it was sad for the sad of being sad. I love a good tragedy, but all the things need to work together. This book felt like Williams was just dropping random sad event after random sad event because it's easier to have an emotional impact by making it sad than by writing a good story.
3. Some of the writing felt very awkward. It was like Williams had a full picture in her head of the scene but would forget to include necessary details. All small things- like a man who'd never been mentioned before in a room would suddenly speak and it was like it came out of nowhere. There were so many times I read back through the previous paragraphs because I was sure I had missed something.
4. The author spent a lot of time trying to discuss feminism and classism and social issues, but it all came across as incredibly shallow. Like made the barest attempt at discussion and then dropped it as a job well done.
I know it sounds like I hated this, but really it was fine. Kind of annoying and not one I'd recommend, but it was entertaining enough and really quick to get through.
Main issues because I'm lazy:
1. Nothing was developed. It felt like issue after issue was being thrown at the reader. Random abuse at school- never developed. Depression- suddenly cured. Random unlikable man- he's gone, never to be mentioned again. Death- so sad, but totally fine don't worry no one really cares. Don't want to get into spoiler territory, but there were so many major events that randomly popped up just to be dropped. It didn't feel like they had any real effect on the story.
2. It felt like it was sad for the sad of being sad. I love a good tragedy, but all the things need to work together. This book felt like Williams was just dropping random sad event after random sad event because it's easier to have an emotional impact by making it sad than by writing a good story.
3. Some of the writing felt very awkward. It was like Williams had a full picture in her head of the scene but would forget to include necessary details. All small things- like a man who'd never been mentioned before in a room would suddenly speak and it was like it came out of nowhere. There were so many times I read back through the previous paragraphs because I was sure I had missed something.
4. The author spent a lot of time trying to discuss feminism and classism and social issues, but it all came across as incredibly shallow. Like made the barest attempt at discussion and then dropped it as a job well done.
I know it sounds like I hated this, but really it was fine. Kind of annoying and not one I'd recommend, but it was entertaining enough and really quick to get through.