Reservoir 13: A Novel by Jon McGregor

Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor is a stunning, beautifully written work of fiction, whose narrative skillfully combines elements of truth and artistry into a thought-provoking tale. Published in 2017, the book is set in a fictional village in Derbyshire, England. A thirteen-year-old girl has gone missing, yet the ripple effects of her disappearance extend far beyond the close-knit community that inhabits the town.

The book follows the lives of the townspeople in all the years that follow the girl’s mysterious and unsolved disappearance. Her presence is evoked time and time again in the thoughts, conversations, emotions and daily routines of those she left behind. Eventually, though, the village's quotidian life goes on, although her disappearance has permanently altered their lives- their perspectives and relationships with each other, their identities, and their relationship with the natural world around them.

The story alternates between a mostly linear narrative and a poetic and lyrical account of the town's physical and emotional journey in the many years after the girl's disappearance. Through vivid, detailed descriptions, Reservoir 13 paints an intimate portrait of the people that inhabit the village and the countryside in which it sits. McGregor portrays nature in a masterful and awe-inspiring way, creating a complex tapestry of interwoven threads in which scientific, naturalistic and paranormal phenomena are disentangled. The village's essence, its geography and physical environment, are presented in concrete and often poetic detail.

The novel also digs deep into the human character, granting readers an insight into the individual reflections and feelings of the townspeople. This exploration of collective and individual stories dives into the complexity of human identity, relationships, and faith as well as into the different concepts of community and family.

Reservoir 13 is an oddly gripping and immersive read. McGregor's use of vivid imagery and sparse yet impactful words are powerful and allow us to deeply feel the town's emotional and physical journey. The complex characters and scenarios presented, the beauty of nature and the poetic resonance of the writing all make Reservoir 13 an intriguing and deeply rewarding read. An incredibly profound and original novel, Reservoir 13 is an enriching literary experience that remains with the reader long after the last page is turned.