Wonderfully (adv.): “in a way that inspires delight or admiration; extremely well” Whimsical: (adj): "(1) playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way" Wordsmithery (noun): from the Urban Dictionary: "The awesome ability to bring words together to make something magical"

A thoroughly enjoyable novel filled with playful writing and lexicographer tomfoolery. An absolute must-read for logophiles!

Victorian lexicographer, Peter Winceworth, inserts fictitious entries in Swansby’s Dictionary. Present-day intern, Mallory, has been tasked with identifying these mountweazels before the dictionary is digitised. The strands of the dual narrative nudge against each other gently, and wisely pull back from over-explanation. Williams’s love for, and expertise in, words shines in this sparkling, witty, absurd and clever debut novel. A joy to read. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC.

Most readers are keen to unearth new words and so a novel about a dictionary has got to catch your interest. There is plenty of wordplay in this intriguing novel and it will introduce you to new words although some of those words can’t be found in any published dictionary. There are two storylines alternating through this novel. In the past we are taken to an office where lexicographers are compiling the Swansby Dictionary. The story concentrates on Peter Winceworth whose dictionary entries include some words of his own invention. In the present Mallory is working for David Swansby who wants to digitise the Swansby Dictionary. David discovers that some of the entries in the dictionary are fictional and asks Mallory to sort out the false entries. I remember many years ago I worked in a large office where a few of us had ‘word of the day’ a rarely used word which we would try to use as much as possible in conversation and meetings to confound other office workers. This novel reminded me of the pleasure we derived from that activity. A great novel with plenty of wordplay.

I was sent a copy of The Liar's Dictionary by Eley Williams to read and review by NetGalley. I absolutely loved this book! Being an avid reader I love words and this novel is crammed full of them! Some you know, some you think you know, some you’ve never heard of and even some that are totally fictional! The story itself is a pure delight and the author is most definitely a true wordsmith. I will certainly be reading all her previous and future works. Brilliant!