Questions About The Dictionary of Lost Words

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Answered Questions (23)

Why did I waste 8 hours of reading just to be hit with very obscene language? Beautiful cover, great story idea completely wasted. I could be reading many authors who do not rely on this shock factor to sell their books. Please could someone have a rating system to let readers know what to expect? I would be so grateful.

Jasmine I guess you completely missed the point of the book entirely. ‘That’ word has not always been considered an obscenity. Hundreds of years ago it was si…moreI guess you completely missed the point of the book entirely. ‘That’ word has not always been considered an obscenity. Hundreds of years ago it was simply a female body part. This whole book is about women’s language, it’s use, how it’s been misrepresented, or even lost, because it is men who have decided what words are important and what their meanings are. And the word isn’t even used as an obscenity in the book! It’s simply a word, made up of letters.

Honestly if that word featuring in the book a couple of times is enough to say it’s wasted, then I dare say you should wrap your ears in cotton wool or maybe never leave your house. There are a lot more obscene things happening in this world than the use of a simple 4 letter word. (less)

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Any bad language?

IvanOpinion There is frank use of words that are often considered obscene. But only as lexicographical objects and discussing their meaning. The words are used in…moreThere is frank use of words that are often considered obscene. But only as lexicographical objects and discussing their meaning. The words are used in a way that could not possibly be less offensive. But a reader who does not want to encounter such words in any context should avoid the book. (less)

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Who do you think should read this book? Any age limits or recommendations? Thanks!

IvanOpinion This is a judgement on which people will naturally differ. I would have thought the book would be fine for most 13 yr olds, upwards.

It does refer to …moreThis is a judgement on which people will naturally differ. I would have thought the book would be fine for most 13 yr olds, upwards.

It does refer to words that were considered too obscene to be included in a dictionary in Victorian times. But, like it or not, they are words that almost every teen will have heard and read already. The book does not glamourise the words, so in my view their use in the book is not a reason to prevent them reading it.

The plot includes the death of some key characters, the effects of shell shock and unwanted pregnancy, but it does so with the lightest touch I can imagine. I think most young teens would take it in their stride, unless exceptionally sensitive or sheltered.(less)

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Did anyone else find the beginning a bit slow? I'm about 25% in and it seems to be dragging. Is it me, or is it the book?

Miette It caught me from the beginning. I've been having trouble reading books lately (feeling like my attention span is reduced for whatever reason) but I w…moreIt caught me from the beginning. I've been having trouble reading books lately (feeling like my attention span is reduced for whatever reason) but I was truly captured by halfway and was very moved at several points. (less)

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What exactly had happened to Esme's hand? It seems to have been burned, but I couldn't find how that happened.

Bonnie In the Prologue, second page. Esme was trying to retrieve the scrap of paper with her mother’s name (lily), thrown into the fire by her father.

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