Doug gets fired from his job, but he sees it coming. The recessive state of the economy and his three previous lay-offs have prepared him for the logistics and emotions of getting fired from his place of work. When he gets his letter, Doug packs up his belongings and heads home, alone and ready to dive again into his routine until a fellow laid-off co-worker shows up at his doorstep. Tyler has been put out by his roommate due to his recent unemployment status. Doug takes in Tyler and, subsequently, other people who were displaced from their jobs and their homes.

The Lay-Off House portrays the common man’s reality in light of the conditions of a recessive economy, which typically leads to lay-offs. As part of the unemployment statistics, these individuals plagued by the same difficulty are brought together and become a family by association. Doug embraces them as his family being in the same boat and thus understanding one another’s employment predicament. Although they are a household of strangers, they grow into a family of sorts.

The story is narrated from the different points of view of the characters. They are of different social statuses and backgrounds and have distinct objectives. However, they are bound by a shared experience which makes the story relatable. Although he had not planned it, Doug’s house becomes a sanctuary for his housemates, and their presence becomes solace to revive his house of loneliness. While cohabiting,  each person discovers their interests and is motivated to follow their dreams. The narrative technique offers clarity and shows the growth of the characters. This is a good story that highlights how relationships can be built and how a community can come together to help one another.

The Lay-off House by David Rogers is a work of contemporary fiction that will appeal to readers who enjoy realism. This novel is a quick and easy read that can be enjoyed in an afternoon and provide readers a look at society as they find the good left in the world together.

Pages: 192 | ISBN : 1639886109

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/16/the-lay-off-house/