The Dictionary of Lost Words

Esme's mother died giving her birth, so she is brought up by her father. She spends her childhood under the table in the Scriptorium, where James Murray and his team of lexicographers, including her father, are compiling the Oxford English Dictionary. Over time she discovers that words in common use, particularly those used by and about women, are not included.[3]

In reviewing the book for The Sydney Morning Herald, Jo Case says "In The Dictionary of Lost Words, Pip Williams combines the storytelling scale and intimate detail of a 19th-century novel with the sensibility of now – and a cast of richly realised characters and relationships that are a pleasure to spend time with".[3] A write-up in the Kirkus Reviews said that "The result is a satisfying amalgam of truth and historical fiction".[4] Other reviewers discussed the novel's elevation of language, with Book Reporter referring to it as "the novel [word lovers and linguists] have been waiting for without even realizing it"[5] and Booklover Book Reviews saying it "reminds us of the power of words, to harm and control, but also to bridge gaps, to empower and to bring about change for the better".[6]

• A stage adaption of the book, scripted by South Australian playwright Verity Laughton in consultation with Williams,[7] has been produced by the State Theatre Company of South Australia and the Sydney Theatre Company.[8][9] The play is directed by Jessica Arthur.[10] After premiering at the Dunstan Playhouse in Adelaide on 22 September 2023, the play has a season at the Sydney Opera House. South Australian actor Tilda Cobham-Hervey plays Esme.[7][11]
• 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]

• Winner, MUD Literary Prize for best debut novel, 2021[14]
• Winner, Book of the Year and Debut fiction award, Indie Book Awards, 2021[15]
• Shortlisted, Walter Scott Prize, 2021[16][17]
• Shortlisted, Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, NSW Premier's Literary Awards, 2021[18]
• Winner, People's Choice Award, NSW Premier's Literary Awards, 2021[19][20]
• Winner, General fiction book of the year, Australian Book Industry Awards, 2021[21]

In addition to being published in standard formats (paperback, ebook, audio book), a dyslexic edition is available.[22] By March 2023 more than 260,000 copies of the printed book had been sold in Australia and New Zealand, and 400,000 in total with ebooks and audio. Print sales were just below 260,000 in the U.S., after Reese Witherspoon had selected it for her book club. It is also published in another 30 territories.[23]

Pip Williams was born in London, England, before migrating to Sydney, New South Wales, where she grew up. As of 2023 she lives in the Adelaide Hills.[24]

Williams' second novel is The Bookbinder of Jericho.[24] Also set in Oxford, during the First World War, two characters from the first novel appear in this one too. The story centres on two sisters who work at a book bindery.[23]