Reviews - Weersverwachting

3.03k reviews for:

Weersverwachting

Jenny Offill

3.58 AVERAGE

stormeno's review against another edition

3.5

challenging emotional funny reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

withanhauser's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoy reading Jenny Offill. Her writing presents as short snippets of thoughts, facts, and ideas, weaved together and presented as a clever, perceptive conscience. In my review of her previous novel, "Dept. of Speculation," I noted--and agreed with--a reviewer who stated they underlined basically the entire book. I felt much the same way about "Weather"--it's only 201 pages, but so full of interesting ruminations, esoteric facts, and funny, small scenes. The novel feels simultaneously light (there isn't much plot) and dense (there are so many thoughts). I found myself wanting to take my time with this book, but ended up breezing through it.

The plot of "Weather" is unremarkable. The protagonist, Lizzie, is a librarian in 2015-17 Brooklyn, and, I imagine, a stand in for Offill herself. She's a married mother of one in her mid 40s; she's seemingly satisfied with her life, but anxious about the future. The central tension in the novel surrounds her fear of the existential threat posed by climate change. She worries about her ability to care for her child in the future, and she relates survivalist facts for that eventuality (e.g., how to make a candle out of a tuna can, light a fire with a battery and gum wrapper). That tension drives her to question her own choice in life. She develops a verging-on romantic relationship with a man she continually runs into; and considers what it is to start again (“The thought of having to be with someone else long enough to deserve it again. That’s what feels impossible. Because the part where they are charmed by you, where you are very good thing, and then the part later— sooner, maybe, but always later— where they tire of you, of all your repetitions, of all your little and big shames, I don’t think I could bear that.” 173–74.). And that's really it. Her concerns and interactions are relatable; and Offill has some insightful thoughts about them. But, there isn't much of a plot hook; I'm not sure that I'll remember what this book is about in a month, let alone a year.

Offill has a lot of thoughts, but I wish she had a more singular message to say. In the end of the novel, she seems to touch on the idea that we're all connected. "The core delusion is that I am here and you are there." 201. It's a good sentence that I've been able to remember in the ~20 hours since I read it; but I'm having difficulty viewing the rest of Offill's thoughts from "Weather" from the perspective of that sentence. Maybe I need to read it again, or just think about the book more. Either way, I wish the message was clearer throughout.

frasersimons's review against another edition

4.0

What a strange book. While there are small plot points that happen, it’s mostly a stream of consciousness from one character as time advances and the closer climate change events will occur. It jumps around with these wildly disparate thoughts, like the main characters transient emotions and anxieties. It’s always interesting and has a contemplative quality throughout. You learn a lot about the character despite the strange, almost-but-not-quite-absent narrative. It’s quirky and sometimes funny. Enjoyable and strange.