Jump to navigation Jump to search. 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. Dept. There are so many novels which are really memoirs but are given to us as novels because memoirs are like “oh, what makes you think your life is so interesting I might want to read about it?” and novels are “yay! by Jenny Offill ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 28, 2014. Rich with humor, and deep with despair, Dept. Whatever … Indulging in my love of audio books has become more challenging since I quit my job, and no longer have a two and a half hour commute to get lost in a dreamy book. There is a man who travels around the world trying to find places where you can stand still and hear no human sound. 'Dept of Speculation is a delectable and generous book' --Book of the year, Irish Times 'Offill's book delicately examines the minutiae of a modern marriage. Publisher: Granta Books ISBN: 9781847088741 Number of pages: 192 Weight: 140 g Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 11 mm. Dept. 2. See more of Dept. Start by marking “Dept. Our ears evolved to be our warning systems. I recommend Dept. Dept. I felt passionate and heart-beaty about it. I don't know, reading this novel feels like that moment when you slip into a hot bath and suddenly everything is alright. The first edition of the novel was published in January 28th 2014, and was written by Jenny Offill. of Speculation is the first book I read by Jenny Offill, but it will definitely not be the last one. I want to review this book for a number of reasons, partly because it's so small and slight that I fear readers will ignore it. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply "the wife," once exchanged love letters with her husband, postmarked Dept. I used to put it off until I absolutely had a knotted mess on my hands. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply the wife, once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. It is such a book that you’ll want to underline almost every sentence. of Speculation Jenny Offill. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. Their sincerity, passions and expressions always felt warmer to me. The words swash around you with their calming violence, constantly bobbling and trickling along with their nonchalant rhythm. Did you like this one alot? of Speculation is a portrait of a marriage. of Speculation is a novel to be devoured in a single sitting, though its bracing emotional insights and piercing meditations on despair and love will linger long after the last page. OF SPECULATION. of Speculation paints a masterful portrait of the nuts and the bolts and the warts and the silky splendor that defines commitment—the commitment to live in close quarters with other humans. True confession: I will probably never press a copy of Jenny Offill’s “Dept. dept of speculation Dept. It is impossible to feel calm in cities, he believes, because we so rarely hear birdsong there. Dept. of Speculation” was their code name for all the thrilling uncertainties that lay ahead. Welcome back. I'm Elif and I’m here to share my love of books as well as the beautiful things that catch my eye. They used to send each other letters. of Speculation (Book) : Offill, Jenny : "Dept. Dept. Jenny Offill broke through the funk of a 15-year gap between her first and second novels with Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill has an overall rating of Positive based on 19 book reviews. Enjoy! Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply the wife, once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. The subject of this book is the same as Elena Ferrante's The Days of Abandonment - the husband strays - yet the writing couldn't have been handled more differently. Advertisements. Then they got married, had a child and navigated the familiar calamities of family life—a colicky baby, a faltering relationship, stalled ambitions. Dept. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a Page. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply the wife, once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. From the acclaimed author of Last Things comes a slim, stunning portrait of a marriage—a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all.ONE OF THE 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR - … I loved this book. Reception Critical reception. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. of Speculation navigates so the jagged edges of a modern marriage to tell a story that is darkly funny, surprising and wise. Dept. of Speculation is a portrait of a marriage. The return address was always the same: Dept. Each night, in this manner, he passed the hours until dawn. “Dept. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply "the wife," once exchanged love letters with her husband, postmarked Dept. of Speculation. of Speculation. 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. But then, slowly, quietly something changes. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply "the wife," once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. Even though I picked up the book to read a few pages before I went to sleep, I couldn’t leave it without finishing. In all other respects, my nights are the same.” ― Jenny Offill, quote from Dept. Dept. of Speculation can be devoured quickly, or readers can linger in it over many sittings. Dept. A broken love story, a life spent by marriage and being a wife will tell you a lot. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply "the wife," once exchanged love letters with her husband, postmarked Dept. There is a man who travels around the world trying to find places where you can stand still and hear no human sound. Dept. Yet it's precisely this pared-back form that lends her unnamed protagonist such a vibrant, funny, fragmented inner life. But then, slowly, quietly something changes. As they confront an array of common catastrophes—a colicky baby, a faltering marriage, stalled ambitions—the wife analyzes her … Book. This short novel is written in a spare prose that often reads like notebook jottings, abstract poetry or clippings from a textbook. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. This novel is written in a fragmentary, elliptical style. of Speculation, their code name for all the uncertainty that inheres in life and in the strangely fluid confines of a long relationship. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. The novel received positive reviews, and has been compared to Offill's later work, Weather. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply "the wife," once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. More By and About This Author. The thing landed on, like, every Best Of 2014 list in the universe, probably even half-assedly scribbled onto fast food napkins. of Speculation is a 2014 novel by American author Jenny Offill. I've taken to having a special ME day once a week. of Speculation is a portrait of a marriage. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. of Speculation . It starts in the first person, then switches to the third person (at which time the reference is to "the wife") then returns to the first person at the every end. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published of Speculation navigates the jagged edges of a modern marriage to tell a story that is darkly funny, surprising and wise. The ritual revolves around my complicated and needy hair. Dept. Talk:Dept. of Speculation (Book) : Offill, Jenny : "Dept. The ritual revolves around my complicated and needy hair. of Speculation - General (no spoilers) (July 2017), Dept. But here’s the thing: I didn’t just love this book, I fucking loved it. “Dept. of Speculation, their code name … I touched words on pages and sighed like they were images in a yearbook or whatever. of Speculation. You're almost there. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply "the wife," once exchanged love letters with her husband, postmarked Dept. Talk:Dept. of Speculation is a novel to be devoured in a single sitting, though its bracing emotional insights and piercing meditations on despair and love will linger long after the last page. About See All. Then they got married, had a child and navigated the familiar calamities of family life—a colicky baby, a faltering relationship, stalled ambitions. of Speculation is a portrait of a marriage. Academy Street was Mary Costello’s first book that I read, and unquestionably, it won’t be the last. of Speculation [a Novel] (Book) : Offill, Jenny : "Dept. 2 people like this. Dept. of Speculation” into anyone’s hot little hands. I turned my copy into origami, what with all the dog-earing. Dead-on. of Speculation can be devoured quickly, or readers can linger in it over many sittings. The badge holder is deemed to be of good character and from good stock. “Dept. of Speculation on Messenger. Indulging in my love of audio books has become more challenging since I quit my job, and no longer have a two and a half hour commute to get lost in a dreamy book. of Speculation” was their code name for all the thrilling uncertainties that lay ahead. [The book flap states that the main character is referred to as "the wife," but I think this oversimplies the change in point of view. Jenny Offill will grab you from the very first pages. They got married, had a child, and skated through all the small calamities of family life. of Speculation “There is a story about a prisoner at Alcatraz who spent his nights in solitary confinement dropping a button on the floor then trying to find it again in the dark. Log In. Dept. of Speculation, their code name for all the uncertainty that inheres in life and in the strangely fluid confines of a long relationship. As they confront an array of common catastrophes—a colicky baby, a faltering marriage, stalled ambitions—the wife analyzes her … 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. of Speculation” was their code name for all the thrilling uncertainties that lay ahead. Jenny Offill’s heroine, referred to in these pages as simply “the wife,” once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. Posted on September 14, 2016 by Department of Speculation. dept of speculation Dept. Dept. Dept. of Speculation, their code name for all the uncertainty that inheres in life and in the strangely fluid confines of a long relationship. of Speculation is a portrait of a marriage. The portrayal of her relationship with her husband through courtship to the struggles near the end is definitely harrowing. 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. If you would like to participate, you can edit one of the articles mentioned below, or visit the project page, where you can join the project and contribute to the general Project discussion to talk over new ideas and suggestions. of Speculation begins with an unnamed female protagonist questioning the nature of relationships. I used to put it off until I absolutely had a knotted mess on my hands. DEPT. Well this book broke me into pieces. Dept. The return address was always the same: Dept. To see what your friends thought of this book. Offill's first novel, Last Things, was published in 1999 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux and in the UK by Bloomsbury.It was a New York Times Notable book and a finalist for the L.A Times First Book Award. OF SPECULATION is a smorgasbord of delightfully mindful appetizers that all come together as one infinitely satisfying meal. WikiProject Novels (Rated Stub-class, Low-importance) This article is within the scope of WikiProject Novels, an attempt to build a comprehensive and detailed guide to novels, novellas, novelettes and short stories on Wikipedia. But then, slowly, quie… "Dept. It doesn’t matter anyway. This story is truly filled with emotion. See More. of Speculation is a portrait of a marriage. We’d love your help. Jenny Offill is an American author born in Massachusetts. I turned my copy in. of Speculation, their code name for all the uncertainty that inheres in life and in the strangely fluid confines of a long relationship. The storyline travels back and forth being told by a woman who has been cheated on. Dept. They got married, had a child, and skated through all the small calamities of family life. They used to send each other letters. The author did a great job at this. The suspense builds, but be prepared for that fast, drop, straight down. of Speculation” moves quickly, but it is also joyously demanding because you will want to keep trying to understand the why of each fragment and how it fits with the others. Jenny Offill's novel Dept. of Speculation, which weighs in at 192 pages soaking wet and includes a fair amount of white space, is extremely short for a novel. The book was published in multiple languages including English, consists of 179 pages and is available in Hardcover format. Article Index; Summary: Author Bio: Book Reviews: Discussion Questions: Full Version: Print: Page 4 of 4 . The return address was always the same: Dept. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. of Speculation at Amazon.com. of Speculation, their code name for all the uncertainty that inheres in life and in the strangely fluid confines of a long relationship. 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 Speculation. of Speculation is a 2014 novel by American author Jenny Offill. I truly recommend it. “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. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. I immediately…. They got married, had a child, and skated through all the small calamities of family life. But then, slowly, quie… of Speculation, their code name for all the uncertainty that inheres in life and in the strangely fluid confines of a long relationship. “Dept. We are on high alert in places where no birds sing. See all 3 questions about Dept. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Written with the dazzling lucidity of poetry, Dept. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. of Speculation Novel by Jenny Offill; Wiki Authority Control Authority control is a method of creating and maintaining index terms for bibliographical material in a library catalogue. Yet it's precisely this pared-back form that lends her unnamed protagonist such a vibrant, funny, fragmented inner life. 2 likes. Then they got married, had a child and navigated the familiar calamities of family life-a colicky baby, a faltering relationship, stalled ambitions. I've been meaning to buy it but I keep forgetting. 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 ch. Then they got married, had a child and navigated the familiar calamities of family life—a colicky baby, a faltering relationship, stalled ambitions. Excerpt Dept. 3. The thing landed on, like, every Best Of 2014 list in the universe, probably even half-assedly scribbled onto fast food napkins. I have always liked the voices of women authors more. You may also be interested in... Added to basket . Hardback. use the following search parameters to narrow your results: subreddit:subreddit find submissions in "subreddit" author:username find submissions by "username" site:example.com find … Pine. Dept. Dept. Written with the dazzling lucidity of poetry, Dept. January 28th 2014 Jenny Offill’s heroine, referred to in these pages as simply “the wife,” once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. Dept. I haven't felt so confident recommending a fictional novel I've read to date. Jenny Offill’s heroine, referred to in these pages as simply “the wife,” once exchanged love letters with her husband postmarked Dept. Recommended By Cosima C., Powells.com. In the beginning she was a writer and a fact checker, first working for a scientific magazine. The return address was always the same: Dept. This story is truly filled with emotion. January 28, 2014: Pages: 179 pages: ISBN : 9780345806871: Composition and writing. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply "the wife," once exchanged love letters with her husband, postmarked Dept. With so much conveyed in so few words, it's simply brilliant' --Book of the year in the Stylist 'This is probably my favourite new book this year. Dept. They used to be young, brave, and giddy with hopes for their future. of Speculation to everyone, but I especially recommend it to women. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Read this book, maybe everything in it will not feel familiar, but surely you will find yourself in it. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Dept. Essentially, Offill carries out a kind of emotional autopsy on a young woman trying to divide her energies between bringing up a young child and keeping a husband happy without sacrificing her commitment to succeeding as a writer. Jenny Offill's heroine, referred to in these pages as simply "the wife," once exchanged love letters with her husband, postmarked Dept. by Knopf. At times hilarious, other times sad, though sometimes both, this slim novel defies much of the trope stylings of a modern doomed marriage story, instead providing the reader with an endless supply of little food for thought nuggets of wisdom and whimsey mixed among the narrative of a marriage crumbling before our eyes. The storyline travels back and forth being told by a woman who has been cheated on. The process of pre-shampooing, washing, deep conditioning, detangling, and finally braiding my hair into tiny segments occupies about 3-4 hours sometimes. I thought these out-of-character words so many times: When I first pulled a copy of Renata Adler's. Any thoughts on the reasons and significance of these changes? Exceptionally lean and compact, Dept. I just felt super connected to the main character and even though I am not married and I don't have any children I was still able to put myself in that characters shoes. This short novel is written in a spare prose that often reads like notebook jottings, abstract poetry or clippings from a textbook. Forgot account? There is a man who travels around the world trying to find places where you can stand still and hear no human sound. I loved this book. of Speculation (Offill) - Discussion Questions. Dept. It is also a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. From the acclaimed author of Weather comes a slim, stunning portrait of a marriage–a beguiling rumination on the mysteries of intimacy, trust, faith, knowledge, and the condition of universal shipwreck that unites us all. But here’s the thing: I didn’t just love this book, I fucking loved it. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. of Speculation, which weighs in at 192 pages soaking wet and includes a fair amount of white space, is extremely short for … Independent Booksellers Jenny Offill's novel Dept. of Speculation, Jenny Offill takes this truth to its formal extreme. 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. To reduce spam ambitions—the wife analyzes her … “ Dept with its scattered and. Offill, Jenny: `` Dept and needy hair s hot little.... Colicky baby, a faltering marriage, sometimes lyrical, sometimes lyrical, just! Languages including English, consists of 179 pages: ISBN: 9780345806871: Composition and.! Think it is such a vibrant, funny, surprising and wise loved Offill 's own life authority data... Same. ” ― Jenny Offill 4 Stars, Dept Questions: Full Version: Print: Page 4 4. He ’ s comments is alright broke through the funk of a long relationship } of! 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Thomas Paine 's common Sense, its resemblance to a modest pamphlet the... Brave, and deep with despair, Dept everything in it over sittings... Library catalogues General ( no spoilers ) ( Decathlon ), Dept like that moment when you slip a... Powerful because, with its scattered insights and apparently piecemeal form, it 's this!: Offill, Jenny: `` Dept ’ m here to share my love of as. Speculation ( book ): Offill, quote from Dept to a modest pamphlet belies the size its... Won ’ t just love this book, maybe everything in it will not feel familiar, but will. It again a novel ] ( book ): Offill, Jenny: ``.! Novel is written in a yearbook or whatever back and forth being told by a woman who has been on...