Reviews

Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill

geoffgaspar's review against another edition

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5.0

Found this to be super depressing. Which I think means the writing was highly effective.

milicavujovic's review against another edition

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1.0

This is the worst and most boring book in my entire life

filzan's review against another edition

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

2.0

lisakcee's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective sad
  • 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

4.0

kteq's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

sonjaharrison's review against another edition

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

3.0

I'm not a big fan of this format: rambling stream of consciousness? An attempt to defy format and structure? Interesting, but mildly annoying.

mackenzieabraham's review against another edition

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3.0

3.75 - when I read this book, the timing was not ideal regarding things that were going on in my life so it made challenging for me to read. That being said, I enjoyed the unique formatting and prose style and by the end was able to reflect on the book as a whole with appreciation and understanding. While I was in the middle of it, it was hard for me to read because it wasn’t enjoyable to read. Heartbreakingly real, actually.

ohheyclaude's review

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emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

parisakamali's review against another edition

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3.0

was not as mind blowing as i had expected, but everything's so subtle and offbeat you'll miss it if you don't pay all your attention to reading this

katieinca's review against another edition

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5.0

An raw and beautiful little book. (And by little I mean I bet you could read it in 2 hours.)
If it reminds me of anything, it's Jeanette Winterson's writing. Short book, short sentences, lush vocabulary, layers, intensity of feeling, erring on the side of under-explaining. I scoffed when the bookshop staff recommendation said "as soon as I finished I turned back to the first page to start it again," but I did the same thing. Some serious gut punches in here, but don't worry, it won't make you cry on the train. Or it least it didn't me, and I'm a crier. Permeated by a fantastic dark sense of humor.
I will not be recommending it to any person in particular, because I worry that after they read it they would wonder what I was implying about their mental health or relationships. So instead I will say, perhaps you will not find this book interesting if you are a supremely confident and calm individual who finds emotions boring. If you've never worried about your life measuring up to your own expectations or that of others; and your brain chemistry and/or personal failings and/or the day to day mundane requirements of living being to blame, then, yeah, maybe don't bother with this one.
But it was exactly what I've been looking for - the emotional wringer of some of the best YA I've read, but with the backdrop of being 30s/40s rather than a teenager.