It seems that lately readers have been bombarded with a plethora of books that focus on infidelity and adultery. While I think most everyone would agree that divorce, separation, cheating, and lies are all sad and hurtful things, they are also very real–especially in this day and age. Personally, when I am going through a crisis or troubled time, I gravitate towards books–be they fiction or non-fiction–that touch on the subject of whatever I am experiencing. It feels good to be able to relate to something, even if it is a fictionalized version. So, if you or someone you know has had a bit of trouble lately in your married life, The Dept. of Speculation may resonate deeply with you. Although the woman and her husband depicted in this book may seem to have it all together, they do not. Their love that may (or may not) have been thriving when they first met is going down the drain. “The wife” and her husband must work to try to repair what has been broken.
As I was reading this book, I got the distinct feeling that the narrator was trying to distance herself from everyone, including the reader. She is obviously afraid to connect with anyone, perhaps because she has been hurt deeply in the past. We never even get to know what her name is, she simply refers to herself as “the wife”. Despite the fact that her name is never revealed, I felt like I got to know this woman well. I was able to look inside her mind and see how she processed her thoughts and feelings in regards to some really deep subjects.
Although the ending of this story may seem predictable, it is not. This book was an all-around good read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a relate-able story, or a way to feel better about their marriage.
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 3 mild obscenities; 4 religious profanities; 5 scatological words; 15 F-word derivatives.
Violence/Gore: None
Sex/Nudity: An adult is mentioned to be having an ongoing affair; a couple is mentioned to have sex with no sexual innuendo; a couple is mentioned to be “abstaining from sex”; a man is referred to as “sexy”; an adult couple kisses.
Mature Subject Matter:
Adultery, marital issues/health.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Adults drink; drug use mentioned twice.
