'Dept. of Speculation' chronicles the intimate odyssey of a woman, known only as 'the wife.' Her journey navigates the perplexing terrain of marriage, as she and her husband grapple with life's inevitable uncertainties. From the whimsical beginnings marked by love letters to the harrowing challenges of parenthood and the identity crises that follow, their union serves as a microcosm for the universal chaos of domesticity. Interwoven with literary and philosophical references, this narrative dissects the complexities of love, loss, and creation. Jenny Offill's meticulous prose captures the poignancy of existential yearning, forging an arresting mosaic of a fraying relationship and the quest for solace within it.