For instance, when describing a phrase from a particularly popular cat meme, the quote is reconfigured to hilarious and meaningful effect to describe her own existential yearning. Although images or thoughts seem to come out of nowhere at times they often pop up again later in the book to make more of an emotional impact. Wry commentary is made about how ego comes into play in all actions and especially when gauging our passion for those we’re closest to. Disparate quotes and references are drawn in to produce thoughtful new perspectives. We aren’t told the narrator’s name and we’re not given the names of the main characters beyond their relationship to her like “husband” or “daughter.” Flashes of experiences are recounted.

It’s an intense peculiar novel that gives a fascinating perspective on relationships and life. I’m glad I had that space to devote my full attention to it without the temptation to check email or social media in between chapters. This novel is short enough that I could read the whole book during my journey. Invariably when I read something good while flying it feels somewhat as if I’ve just had an intense hallucination. I have to say reading on a plane does have a special sort of ethereal feel to it. I did so during one long afternoon on a plane while I was flying from London to Boston. But seeing how highly valued it was by a wide range of people recently convinced me I should finally read it. I’ve been wanting to read it since the summer when I noticed it sitting on a shelf in the new Foyles bookshop with its striking jigsaw cover. In surveying a wide variety of best book lists of the year, a book that has come up again and again is this novel by Jenny Offill.

Dept of speculation by jenny offill