Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill

5 reviews

viviankeithley's review

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Infidelity and Pregnancy

savvylit's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Jenny Offill is an incredibly talented writer; no doubt about it. In this short novel, she plays with form in a way that feels like a printed stream of consciousness. This nonlinear style is so distinct and delightful.

That being said, the story and the characters are too familiar and bland. Offill's portrait of a marriage feels both real and deeply unexceptional. Some of the portions about the couple's early romance were very sweet and touching. However, beyond Offill's distinct stylistic choices, the story was not memorable at all.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship

theminimalistbookclub's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

this is a typical case of right book, wrong time. i read the book in august 2022 when i wasn't in the mood to read stories about people falling in love, raising a child together, wives being cheated on or marriages. or anything about love really. additionally i had such high expectations on this book, because back in the day basically every bookstagrammer reviewed this book as a 5 star read. maybe i will read it again sometime when i feel more like it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Pregnancy

Minor: Suicide and Vomit

mayaccountant's review against another edition

dark funny informative sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity and Abandonment

Moderate: Suicide and Pregnancy

emilyplun's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Pregnancy

Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use