(Haven’t tried to sort our thoughts about Jenny Orfill’s book into a linear arrangement—that would seem inappropriate given the structure of her text…)
Enjoyed parts & liked that it was set in a library and the topics that came up, but it contained too many relatively obscure references that were too distracting, e.g., Lucretius—the name was familiar, but the significance of the reference was not obvious. Found the Epigram interesting. I read her earlier book (Dept. of Speculation) and found it flowed more easily.
Read it twice as I found myself asking “What the hell was that about” after the first read. I liked the book but don’t know why. Liked the juxtaposition of a demanding life in a declining world couched in humor—a mixture of boners and off-kilter humor.
Read it twice and in the end was somewhat taken by it. Had difficulty with the style. Initially thought the first part was a prologue and wondered when the book would start. Once I realized that this was the style, I settled in. There was a sort of plot, but it went unresolved. It is not a book I would pick up because of the title although the cover was a interesting. I didn’t know if weather referred to her life or climate change. Not sorry I read it but unsure as to whom I would recommend it.
Just finished the book and the label “fleeting ruminations” surfaced in my thoughts—like when you are reading bits here and there and stop to ruminate for awhile and then move on. Was impressed by Lizzie’s “busy”ness but note that she doesn’t do anything to make the world better. She lets the doom-laden world dominate her.
The book reminded me a little of Woody Allen’s, Hannah & Her Sisters with all the intricacies of a dysfunctional family. Orfill’s fragmented style patterns that of Instagram, Twitter and other social media. The issues of modern life are cleverly brought forward as the narrative shifts conceptually between what’s happening today with Lizzie and what may happen tomorrow with the world. Although fragmented, and relatively inactive dramatically, we note entry into the Trumpian world at the beginning of Chapter 3. The book introduces the podcast world and the interconnectedness it nourishes.
Had great difficulty getting started—found the short separate fragments confusing, didn’t know who the protagonist was, and found it hard to make a connection until Chapter 3 when things started to make more sense. Read that the author was greatly influenced by Joy Wilson whose book, Ill Nature, is a biting rant against our impact on the world. Consider it one of the most depressing books I have read—notwithstanding the smart, cynical writing and the acerbic humor.
The structure was so fragmented that it was difficult to make sense of what it was all about. Despite the title, Weather: A Novel, my question is, “Is this a novel?” My impression was that it was a sequence of random jottings on her family, her work, and her daily life against the backdrop of the climate crisis. The structure was vaguely reminiscent of Jean-Luc Godard’s response to the question “Do your films have a beginning, middle and end?”— “Yes, but not necessarily in that order.” My other question—“Does the author have any obligation not to confuse the reader?”
This was a difficult read. I settled on listening to an audio version while following on Kindle. We are called to account in the epigram and quickly thrown smack dab into our crazy world with all its rules, protocols, guidelines, and tips for reframing and running our lives while seemingly being at a loss to address global crises. The “tweet-like” text covers many of the post information revolution social changes with a quirky sense of humor. It journeys into the post truth world of social media myth and illogical logic without hesitation. The scope of topics touched upon is dizzying, and perhaps, it is this that paralyzes Lizzie. I think there is comfort in being from the generation that is “aging out of the conversation”.
Our Rating:
