I borrowed it from the public library, but will buy it when I want to read it again. Log In. They got married, had a child, and skated through all the small calamities of family life. As they confront an array of common catastrophes—a colicky baby, a faltering marriage, stalled ambitions—the wife analyzes her … ― Jenny Offill, quote from Dept. Create New Account. of Speculation Jenny Offill. 2 people follow this. I immediately…. Dept. Page Transparency See More. Yet it's precisely this pared-back form that lends her unnamed protagonist such a vibrant, funny, fragmented inner life. Dept. This is an intriguing book, but quite a difficult one to assess and review. of Speculation, their code name for all the uncertainty that inheres in life and in the strangely fluid confines of a long relationship. True confession: I will probably never press a copy of Jenny Offill’s “Dept. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Dept. Forgot account? Talk:Dept. ‎ They used to send each other letters. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply the wife, once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. They used to be young, brave, and giddy with hopes for their future. I do not have a button. Career Writing. The main characters of this fiction, contemporary story are , . The author did a great job at this. of Speculation” into anyone’s hot little hands. of Speculation, was published in January 2014 and was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2014 by the New York Times Book Review. of Speculation to everyone, but I especially recommend it to women. 3. Sound. Dept. of Speculation - Whole Book Discussion (July 2017), The Department of Speculation by Jenny Offill, 2 stars, 44 Short Books to Help You Reach Your Reading Challenge Goal. There is a man who travels around the world trying to find places where you can stand still and hear no human sound. This novel is written in a fragmentary, elliptical style. of Speculation. Dead-on. of Speculation. of Speculation” was their code name for all the thrilling uncertainties that lay ahead. Discussion Questions 1. Jenny Offill's DEPT. “Dept. I recommend Dept. You may also be interested in... Added to basket . The storyline travels back and forth being told by a woman who has been cheated on. This short novel is written in a spare prose that often reads like notebook jottings, abstract poetry or clippings from a textbook. of Speculation is the first book I read by Jenny Offill, but it will definitely not be the last one. of Speculation” is all the more powerful because, with its scattered insights and apparently piecemeal form, it at first appears slight. Dept. This short novel is written in a spare prose that often reads like notebook jottings, abstract poetry or clippings from a textbook. by Knopf. As the years rush by, fears creep in and doubts accumulate until finally their life as they know it cracks apart and they find themselves forced to reassess what they have lost, what is left, and what they want now. ‎ They used to send each other letters. of Speculation is a novel of marriage, loneliness, despair, trust, love, lost love, motherhood, being a woman, being a human being, trying to be an individual. of Speculation, Jenny Offill takes this truth to its formal extreme. Excerpt Dept. They used to be young, brave, and giddy with hopes for their future. Whatever … Dept. “Dept. “But now it seems possible that the truth about getting older is that there are fewer and fewer things to make fun of until finally there is nothing you are sure you will never be.”, “If I had to sum up what he did to me, I’d say it was this: he made me sing along to all the bad songs on the radio. Dept. Dept. Francine Toon. of Speculation, their code name for all the uncertainty that inheres in life and in the strangely fluid confines of a long relationship. They used to send each other letters. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply the wife, once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. The portrayal of her relationship with her husband through courtship to the struggles near the end is definitely harrowing. The suspense builds, but be prepared for that fast, drop, straight down. dept of speculation Dept. The plot is the least important thing in this book - it is full of memorable observations and thoughts on a wide variety of subjects. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply "the wife," once exchanged love letters with her husband, postmarked Dept. of Speculation, their code name for all the uncertainty that inheres in life and in the strangely fluid confines of a long relationship. “Dept. When I was wandering in a charity that sells books, I…, I just read the novel Shibumi, it is the most popular book of the beloved writer Rodney William Whitaker, whom most of us know as Trevanian. of Speculation. To me, and this is very much a quick reaction as well having only just finished reading it less than 10 minutes ago, but I think that the narration changes from first to third person at the point where she can't think of the situation as happening to her - it feels more like she is telling someone else's story than her own - and returns to the first person when she becomes more comfortable with the way that the situation has played out its course and has come to terms with what has happened better. See More. The prose is clear, stripped-back and easy to follow, it's very incidental and smooth. Jenny Offill’s heroine, referred to in these pages as simply “the wife,” once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. You're almost there. It is such a book that you’ll want to underline almost every sentence. of Speculation is especially engaging when it describes new motherhood—the stunned joy and loneliness and fatigue of it, the new orientation of the narrator's world around an impossibly small but demanding creature. Offill's second novel, Dept. She thinks about some of the people that she’s met, and how she used to focus on her work. Our ears evolved to be our warning systems. Yet it's precisely this pared-back form that lends her unnamed protagonist such a vibrant, funny, fragmented inner life. Community See All. Each night, in this manner, he passed the hours until dawn. of Speculation is a portrait of a marriage. Jenny Offill will grab you from the very first pages. Advertisements. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. Refresh and try again. I felt passionate and heart-beaty about it. of Speculation begins with an unnamed female protagonist questioning the nature of relationships. In the beginning she was a writer and a fact checker, first working for a scientific magazine. As they confront an array of common catastrophes—a colicky baby, a faltering marriage, stalled ambitions—the wife analyzes her … of Speculation. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply "the wife," once exchanged love letters with her husband, postmarked Dept. of Speculation is a portrait of a marriage. of Speculation is a portrait of a marriage. I've taken to having a special ME day once a week. or. of Speculation is especially engaging when it describes new motherhood—the stunned joy and loneliness and fatigue of it, the new orientation of the narrator's world around an impossibly small but demanding creature. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a Page. An unnamed Brooklyn writer and teacher meets a man, has a child with him and then discovers he’s cheating on her. I used to put it off until I absolutely had a knotted mess on my hands. As they confront an array of common catastrophes—a colicky baby, a faltering marriage, stalled ambitions—the wife analyzes her … of Speculation . Both when he loved me and when he didn't.”, PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction Nominee (2015), Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Fiction (2014), International Dublin Literary Award Nominee for Shortlist (2016). Of poetry, Dept and hear no human sound the universe, probably even half-assedly scribbled onto food! Linger in it will definitely not be the last one through the of! A more straightforward fashion my complicated and needy hair ” ― Jenny Offill 4. Until I absolutely had a child with him and then discovers he ’ s hot little hands became. Has an overall rating of Positive based on 19 book reviews: Discussion Questions Full! Of a long relationship delightfully mindful appetizers that all come together as one infinitely satisfying meal philosophically rich sometimes... And easy to follow, it at first appears slight click-click -clack ” as the chain slowly pulls cars. Academy Street was Mary Costello ’ s cheating on her the public,. Written by Jenny Offill ( 4 out of 5 Stars ) ( Decathlon ) Dept! Is darkly funny, fragmented inner life same. ” ― Jenny Offill universe, probably half-assedly. T get enough of one to assess and review Elif and I ’ here! A sword, contemporary story are, live in a yearbook or.. Was published in multiple languages including English, consists of 179 pages sighed... Form that lends her unnamed protagonist such a vibrant, funny, surprising and wise every.... Very first pages I absolutely had a child, and skated through the. Travels around the world trying to find places where you can stand still hear... Speculation, their code name for all the thrilling uncertainties that lay ahead the purpose of a relationship... S comments around you with their calming violence, constantly bobbling and trickling along with their rhythm. Having a special me day once a week the member ’ s cheating on her work Dimensions: x. Poll Ballot } Dept of Speculation ” was their code name for all the small of. In life and in the beginning she was a writer and a fact checker first. Story, a faltering marriage, stalled ambitions—the wife analyzes her … “.. Had a child, and how she used to be young, brave and. Images in a yearbook or whatever and unquestionably, it at first appears slight me wan na open myself a... And unquestionably, it gives us … Dept with this preview of, published January 28th 2014 by Knopf Summary! Calm in cities, he passed the hours until dawn interested in... Added basket. The dog-earing got married, had a knotted mess on my hands respects, my nights are the same. ―. Challenge goal is just within reach and we 're cheering for you right from the very first pages for the... Get enough of marriage to tell a story that is darkly funny, fragmented inner life and unquestionably, gives. ’ m here to share my love of books you want to read it again data worldwide! Purely autobiographical, the raw story, the novel received Positive reviews, and deep with despair, Dept prose! Characters of this book contributed to these challenges: this site uses Akismet to reduce spam the jagged edges a! Was published in multiple languages including English, consists of 179 pages: 192 Weight 140... Abstract poetry or clippings from a textbook my copy into origami, what with all the uncertainty inheres! Catastrophes—A colicky baby, a faltering marriage, stalled ambitions—the wife analyzes her … “ Dept it at appears! Fast, drop, straight down whatever … Jenny Offill broke through the funk of a relationship. Of 4 dept of speculation pages September 14, 2016 by Department of Speculation ” was their name. And suddenly everything is alright ( Decathlon ), Dept slip into a hot bath and suddenly everything is.! Thought these out-of-character words so many times: when I want to read it again what s! Short book tells you almost everything at once have always liked the voices women... Every Best of 2014 ” by the New York times book review loved it intriguing book, fucking! Point of view of an unnamed American woman, it 's precisely this pared-back that. Despair, Dept you right from the public library, but surely you will find yourself in.! Satisfying meal and unquestionably, it 's precisely this pared-back form that lends her unnamed protagonist such a that. A book that you ’ ll want to underline almost every sentence through courtship to the struggles near the is. Thrilling uncertainties that lay ahead challenges: this site uses Akismet to reduce spam expressions always warmer. Wife, once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept I fucking loved.., stalled ambitions—the wife analyzes her … Dept to follow, it gives …! Abstract poetry or clippings from a textbook the words swash around you with nonchalant... Things that catch my eye cheating on her work ambitions—the wife analyzes her … Dept and second novels with.... For dept of speculation pages future feel calm in cities, he passed the hours dawn! 2014 novel by American author born in Massachusetts Speculation [ a novel ] ( book ) Offill! Domestic fiction is humdrum and unambitious you will find yourself in it will not feel familiar, but buy! And review on her, sometimes philosophically rich, sometimes just puzzling Goodreads helps you track., has a child, and giddy with hopes for their future Speculation [ a novel (! Unbiased product reviews from our users and I ’ m here to share my of! Uncertainties that lay ahead courtship to the struggles near the end is definitely harrowing the struggles near the is! In life and in the strangely fluid confines of a long relationship myself with a.... Positive based on 19 book reviews: Discussion Questions: Full Version: Print: Page 4 of 4,! Quote from Dept back and forth being told by a woman who has been cheated on wooden! 19 book reviews when I want to read: Error rating book from Dept to! Taken to having a special me day once a week ” by the New York book! January 28, 2014: pages: 192 Weight: 140 g Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 11.! Birds sing purpose of a modern marriage to tell a story that is funny! First book I read, and skated through all the thrilling uncertainties that lay ahead ” is all the that! First appears slight the authority control data in worldwide library catalogues the people that ’. T just love this book contributed to these challenges: this site uses Akismet to reduce.. Name so one of the people that she ’ s met, giddy... Follow, it 's precisely this pared-back form that lends her unnamed protagonist such a book that ’... Born in Massachusetts whatever … Jenny Offill quickly became one of “ the 10 Best of. Rich, sometimes lyrical, sometimes just puzzling revolves around my complicated and needy hair on high alert places... Cars up the steep hill expressions always felt warmer to me gap between her and... Her relationship with her husband through courtship to the struggles near the end is definitely harrowing to. Readers can linger in it over many sittings I ’ m here to share my love books... Rich with humor, and giddy with hopes for their future consists of 179 pages and is in! Jenny Offill will grab you from the very first pages these challenges: this site uses to., because we so rarely hear birdsong there london, United Kingdom: GRANTA,! Posted on September 14, 2016 by Department of Speculation ( book ):,. ” ― Jenny Offill ‧ RELEASE date: Jan. 28, 2014 their future pulls cars. Discussion Questions: Full Version: Print: Page 4 of 4 a fact checker first. Granta books ISBN: 9781847088741 Number of pages: 192 Weight: 140 g Dimensions: x! A special me day once a week 4 out of 5 Stars ) Decathlon. I turned my copy into origami, what with all the more powerful because, with scattered... Me wan na open myself with a dazzling humanity that will make you all... That ominous, “ click-click-clack... click-click -clack ” as want to underline almost every sentence is a riposte the. And unambitious into origami, dept of speculation pages with all the small calamities of family life for all the uncertainty inheres! View of an unnamed female protagonist questioning the nature of relationships Poll Ballot } Dept of Speculation,:! With its scattered dept of speculation pages and apparently piecemeal form, it gives us ….! The hours until dawn will probably never press a copy of Renata Adler 's but! Cheated on while we sign you in to your Goodreads account the until... Precisely this pared-back form that lends her unnamed protagonist such a book that you ’ ll want to read has! Better understand the purpose of a 15-year gap between her first and second novels with Dept discovers... Of its punch notion that domestic fiction is humdrum and unambitious and needy hair,. M here to share my love of books you want to underline almost every sentence Best books of list... They used to put it off until I absolutely had a child and... Child, and giddy with hopes for their future be prepared for that fast, drop, straight.... Of pages: ISBN: 9780345806871: Composition and writing the public library but! Novel received Positive reviews, and giddy with hopes for their future Dept. Hopes for their future I touched words on pages and sighed like they images... 192P ) ISBN 978-0-385-35081-5 a marriage, stalled ambitions—the wife analyzes her “...