What is the author's style in the book, Weather: A Novel?

Throughout the novel, Offill often makes use of simple and informal language that is accessible to a wide audience range. However, there are often complex meanings within this simple language that, with some effort, can be uncovered in the subtext. Because this novel is presented as Lizzie’s internal monologue, Offill uses a very stylized way of writing, which varies from a simplistic to complex use of language and meaning.

There are many examples of how Offill implements informal, and accessible language in the novel. Familiar and casual language is used even in the smallest of ways, such as when Lizzie refers to her “# 1 fear” (24) with the use of symbols. Other examples of informal uses of language is seen in the many instances of listing that Offill includes, and even the inclusion of e-mails, as these different formats allow for readers to easily understand the language and meaning within the novel. Offill also does not always follow conventional grammar rules. For example, sentence fragments are found throughout the novel, such as in the line “Something in the distance, limping toward the trees” (15). These fragmented sentences and passages produce the effect of receiving Lizzie’s raw, unfiltered thoughts, wherein the stream of consciousness style of the novel is most apparent. Lizzie also often uses a relaxed tone, such as in the line, “but who cares, because, duh, eagles soar!” (31). This sets up a comfortable atmosphere for the reader, and therefore makes the task of interpreting meaning in the novel not so daunting.

However, the novel also at times uses formal and thus more complex language. In one example, Lizzie explains, “The guy… was going on and on about transhumanism and how we would soon shed these burdensome bodies and become part of the singularity” (48). With no further explanation on the complex and nuanced ideas presented in this line, readers may find it difficult to navigate such vocabulary and terminology. Furthermore, the fragmented passages used in the novel’s stream of consciousness style are often wholly disconnected from one another. Thus, Lizzie’s thoughts may at times be difficult to follow. For example, one such passage consists only of the words, “Hello? Hello? What is— What is your emergency?” (215). As the passages following both before and after have nothing to do with an emergency, the meaning behind the moment is up to the reader’s interpretation. Thus, the language and meaning used in the novel may sometimes pose a challenge to the reader.