A Reservoir Man begins Michael’s story where all stories begin. His arrival in this world occurs in the late 1940s, where he becomes the precious child of a loving Italian father and a resilient Polish mother. Family is paramount for Michael, and this quirky family fills his life with security, satisfaction and plenty of drama. But as Michael grows up and observes the world outside the walls of his sheltered family home, his viewpoint begins to shift. Throughout the course of his kinetic existence, Michael experiences the highest of highs but also the lowest of lows. Chronological and forward thinking, this fleet-footed story encapsulates several decades of history in America and beyond. During a time of change and turmoil, Micheal endures life-threatening medical emergencies, sexual assault, crises of confidence, and the deaths of a countless number of friends and family members. Through his personal adversity and an adventurous spirit, however, Michael steadily moves toward happiness, self-fulfillment and mental freedom.
It’s impossible not to compare A Reservoir Man to the iconic Forrest Gump. Both stories are extraordinary in the scope of activity, the dramatic time period covered, and the sweeping arc of the protagonist’s unique journey. By focusing on some incredibly relevant issues, L. J. Ambrosio’s vigorous novel feels as contemporary as a historical piece can. Reading Michael’s account is an interesting study in contrasts, of character, of metaphor, and of human perception. He is a man who has lived a lot of life in his years with barely a moment of downtime. Michael explores his sexuality, travels the world, builds crucial relationships, starts a business, experiences the joys of fatherhood, and is touched by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The relentless movement, combined with a straightforward writing style, leaves little room to paint a picture or demonstrate how the characters feel. This blunting of the sensory experience, along with some conspicuous errors of the syntax, makes it a challenge to get emotionally invested in the narrative and prevents the story from reaching its full potential. Fiction that reads like an intensive biographical account, A Reservoir Man is an action-packed tale filled with recognizable metaphors. Be sure not to blink because you just might miss a pivotal moment in Michael’s rousing, larger-than-life story.
