The novel unfolds in a series of annual chapters, each covering a single year, focusing on the cyclical nature of village life rather than a linear plot progression. It employs a distinctive, almost panoramic third-person perspective that shifts between various villagers, often within the same paragraph, creating a collective portrait.
Reservoir 13 shares McGregor's characteristic precise, observational prose and a focus on the subtle rhythms of everyday life and nature, similar to his earlier novel "If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things." It also continues his exploration of community and the passage of time, though with a more expansive temporal scope.
The novel was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2017, recognizing its literary merit and unique narrative approach. It also won the Costa Novel Award in the same year, highlighting its critical acclaim within the UK literary scene.