Reviews - Dept. of Speculation

2.65k reviews for:

Dept. of Speculation

Jenny Offill

3.79 AVERAGE

reveric's review against another edition

January Book Club Book!

nike_s's review

5.0

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

janellelapointe's review against another edition

3.0

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

sha's review

4.0

reflective fast-paced

I really enjoyed Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill. Her writing style is so unique—told in little fragments that feel just like how thoughts or memories pass through your mind. It’s poetic without being overdone, and there’s so much meaning packed into even the smallest lines.

I loved how the book explores relationships over time—how they shift, stretch, and sometimes fall apart under the weight of everyday life. It’s also a really honest take on adulthood and parenthood, with all the quiet struggles that come with both. It feels especially relevant if you’re in your late 20s or early 30s, figuring it all out as you go.

It’s not a plot-heavy book, but it doesn’t need to be—the emotional core is strong and relatable. I found myself underlining so many lines.

“… you can never fucking outrun entropy.”

Content Warnings