Here is my review in the Guardian of Jenny Offill’s miraculous novel, Dept. of Speculation. It is perhaps my favourite new book of the year so far, and the list of books Offill cites as influences for it – including those by Jean Rhys, Denis Johnson, Robert Walser and Richard Yates – is pretty thrilling too.
Asylum 
Well, that’s jumped to the top of my to-read list! I loved Last Things, but didn’t know she was writing another – perfect Monday morning news, that is.
You might be forgiven for not knowing she was writing another – it’s been 15 years since Last Things!
Nice review John, though you had me at the Jean Rhys comparator. Have you reviewed her first?
No, Max, though I bought it after loving Dept. of Speculation, and read part of it. I wanted to see how it compared stylistically for the purposes of asking her questions (see interview post), but I will keep it to read fully another time.
How is this holding up for you in memory John? I ask as I’m going to be writing my review of it shortly, and while I loved it while reading it I’m surprised to find I don’t remember it as clearly as I thought I would.
Possibly because on finishing it I went on an epic three week holiday, so it could just be circumstance I admit.
It stands up pretty well, Max, though I did read it twice before writing about it, which I think helps fix the memory somewhat. Parts of it still rattle about in my head almost 18 months later.