Work Like Any Other by Virginia ReevesMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Watch out! It packs a one-two punch at the end.
"Work Like Any Other" by Virginia Reeves, 2016
The story takes place in the 1920s about when electricity is just spreading throughout the country. The main character is Roscoe, who we see an electrician by trade, turn farmer, then convict. Roscoe gave up his job with the power company in the city to live with his wife and son on the family farm she inherited from her father. The farm is failing, unproductive, and in disrepair but could be saved if electricity was brought onto the land. Roscoe decides to skim/steal power and wire it to his land. A utility worker from the power company is electrocuted by Roscoe's handiwork. The resulting death of the worker sent Roscoe to prison for 20 years.
Ultimately the story is about guilt and resentment tearing a family apart and the resilience of the human spirit. With the narrative taking place in the Deep South during the 1920s, the story wouldn't be complete if it was not repletely painted with racism and the violence that comes with it.
Here we find shattered dreams, moral failure, empathy, and compassion tied to a well-grounded story, with dialogue that seems reminiscent of the time and place.
"Work Like Any Other" is Virginia Reeves 2016 debut novel and Booker Prize Nominee for Longlist (2016).
I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
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