Book Review: Piece of Work

Zigman, Laura. Piece of Work. Grand Central Publishing. 304 p. ISBN: 9780446696005 (0446696005) $13.99

What a piece of work! Laura Zigman had me hooked from page one:

It was around ten-thirty that bright April morning and, as usual, Julia was allowing herself to be bossed around by a three-year-old. She liked to think of it as a choice since it gave her the option of maintaining a shred of dignity in the face of frequent humiliation and subjugation. Toddlers, she remembered hearing someone say, were like big tyrants of tiny countries . . .

Mom’s everywhere will relate to Julia’s bitter sweet joy of underappreciated servitude. Zigman’s humor is a salve for wounded female egos. Like many modern women, Julia Einstein left a flourishing career to stay at home and raise her child, but when her husband’s unemployment forces her back to work, Julia is faced with heartbreak and resentment.

In “Piece of Work,” Zigman captures the reality of contemporary motherhood. Torn between the love for her son and the need to provide for her family, Julia is forced to accept a job she would have considered a demotion three years earlier. The business world is unforgiving and a three year hiatus has cooled her résumé, but juggling the responsibilities of housework and childcare has kept her sharp.

Re-entering the world of public relations, Julia soon discovers that dealing with the self-centered ego of a toddler bares a striking resemblance to ‘has been’ celebrities. Stuck with a difficult client, Julia desperately tries to balance her personal life and work responsibilities.

Piece of Work is fast paced and entertaining, while maintaining the poignant emotions that women will relate to. Zigman has created a multi-faceted lead character that represents the very essence of womanhood. Julia Einstein is a complex mix of confidence and insecurities that is touching and familiar. Zigman beautifully captures the tension between a woman’s need to assert herself as an individual and the longing to connect with others.

The skill with which Zigman captures the everyday reality of a three-year-old is astounding, and the relationship between mother and child is so convincing that I feel like the author has been spying on me.

Thematically, Zigman does a superb job of illustrating the shifting realities of women. Career women, who choose to stay home and raise children, do not fall into a black abyss of non-existence, but merely step into an alternate existence. Many women (taking their cue from employers) often underestimate their value when re-entering the work force. Zigman draws a parallel between domestic and business responsibilities, with the transference of skills moving in both directions.

Zigman also manages to address these issues without being heavy handed. Piece of Work will pull you in with its snarky drama and endear you with its sharp wit. It’s a story that will be hard to put down and harder to forget.