![]() It is broken up on the page, many paragraphs a single sentence so the prose doesn’t flow, but that is the point. This is an unusual narrative consisting of random and often apparently unconnected thoughts and observations from the wife’s point of view. of Speculation is proof that familiar subjects given fresh treatment can turn into something rare. This is an unflinching examination of marriage, parenthood, ageing, life – the eternal themes of fiction.īut Dept. of Speculation is a novelist who teaches creative writing (at Columbia University and elsewhere, in Jenny Offill’s case) and whose second novel is taking a long time to materialise. Jenny Offill’s first book Last Things was published in 1999. ![]() This is known to be important in the writing of short stories and although these are standalone titles it’s a quality they undoubtedly share. ![]() After this one and Oscar Coop-Phane’s Zenith Hotel I am starting to really appreciate the ability certain (few) authors have to distill the sense of a complete life in very few words. This is my second consecutive review of a very short book which makes more of an impact than many full-length novels. I read it last night in a single sitting so these are just a few uncut thoughts – for once it makes sense not to overanalyse. ![]() I was supposed to be working this morning but realised my time would better spent telling you about Jenny Offill’s second book Dept. ![]()
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