Picture an Australian storyteller who wove the forgotten voices of women into the pages of history—meet Pip Williams! Born in London and raised in Sydney, Williams has captivated readers with her lyrical novels that blend historical fact with heartfelt fiction. Her debut, The Dictionary of Lost Words, isn’t just a book—it’s a love letter to language, illuminating the unsung women who shaped the Oxford English Dictionary.
With a knack for uncovering hidden narratives, Williams invites us to explore the power of words and the resilience of those who wield them. Her stories resonate with readers who crave history with heart, making her a rising star in historical fiction. Ready to dive into her world?
The Making of Pip Williams
Born in 1969 in London to a Brazilian hairdresser mother and a Welsh feminist father who wrote children’s books, Pip Williams moved to Sydney at age three. Growing up on the Northern Beaches, she was a slow reader, later discovering her dyslexia at 17. Despite this, her love for stories bloomed, sparked by favorites like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. A poem published in Dolly magazine at 15 hinted at her creative spark. Initially dreaming of fashion design, Williams pivoted to social research, earning a PhD in Public Health and studying what makes life thrive.
Pip Williams’s Unforgettable Stories
Williams’s debut novel, The Dictionary of Lost Words (2020), is a triumph of historical fiction. Set in Victorian Oxford, it follows Esme, a fictional daughter of a lexicographer, who collects words overlooked by the male-dominated Oxford English Dictionary—words tied to women’s lives and experiences. Inspired by Williams’s research into the OED archives, the novel blends meticulous detail with emotional depth, earning praise as a Reese’s Book Club pick and a New York Times bestseller.
Her second novel, The Bookbinder of Jericho (2023), is a companion to her debut, set during World War I. It centers on twin sisters Peggy and Maude, who work in the bindery at Oxford University Press. Peggy, ambitious and curious, dreams of studying at Oxford, defying expectations that she should only bind books, not read them. The novel, which won the General Fiction Book of the Year at the 2024 Australian Book Industry Awards, showcases Williams’s gift for crafting strong female characters.
Before her novels, Williams co-authored Time Bomb: Work, Rest and Play in Australia Today (2012), a nonfiction work on work-life balance, and penned One Italian Summer (2017), a memoir of her family’s six-month adventure working on organic farms in Italy. Her writing style—rich, evocative, and deeply researched—brings history to life, with themes of feminism, language, and resilience woven throughout.
Why Pip Williams Matters
Pip Williams’s work does more than entertain—it reclaims the stories of women sidelined by history. Her novels challenge us to question who gets to shape knowledge and whose voices are preserved. By spotlighting the women behind the OED and the bindery, she celebrates their quiet strength and enduring impact. With over 300,000 copies of The Dictionary of Lost Words sold in Australia alone, her influence is undeniable, inspiring readers to see history through a fresh, inclusive lens.
- Born: 1969, London, England
- Key Works: The Dictionary of Lost Words, The Bookbinder of Jericho, One Italian Summer
- Awards: General Fiction Book of the Year, Australian Book Industry Awards 2024; MUD Literary Prize for Best Debut Novel 2021
- Fun Fact: She once dressed as a rainforest for costume parties, earning the nickname ‘Pippy the Hippy’!
Snag The Dictionary of Lost Words or The Bookbinder of Jericho and dive into Pip Williams’s enchanting blend of history and heart!