A review by lelia_t
Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill

4.0

This is a tight, quick book filled with seemingly random anecdotes, jokes, quotes and facts that tie into bigger events as the book goes along. There’s wry humor - I laughed a lot in the beginning - but also a realistic look at life’s messiness - the compromises we make in the course of living, loving others, raising kids, making money. How the shininess of life can get worn away by the grind of duty and responsibility.

I love the structure of this book - you can dip back in after finishing it and find a joke, phrase, digression that enriches your understanding of the whole. And the story has a sweeping speed, like life. You look down and you're middle-aged, wearing underwear with worn out elastic.