Reviews

Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler

katyboo52's review against another edition

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5.0

I find Anne Tyler's books very soothing to read. She is a mistress of the importance of domestic writing. That sounds like a criticism but it really isn't. It's incredibly difficult to write about day to day reality and make it engrossing and moreover 'real'. To me, her books are like Edward Hopper paintings but in words. Vignettes of moments that would otherwise pass us by. Even the dramatic moments, and there are some, are understated and all the more powerful for it. Micah is a man who craves order. His upbringing was disordered and chaotic and he has made his adult life the antithesis of this. Into his routines come little pockets of upset that require him to adjust his thinking in small, yet significant ways. This is beautifully observed and shows a man who suddenly wakes up to the fact that routine can be a prison as well as a comfort.

webdoyenne's review against another edition

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4.0

A lovely, compact little book. Soothing.

rosiefpb's review against another edition

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4.0

Sort of not about anything but quite beautiful. Didn't take me long but I enjoyed it.

graciegrace1178's review against another edition

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3.0

I don't remember much from this EXCEPT that the protag was extremely devoted to his silly little routines and schedules. love that for him.

rincewinds_hat's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

sford's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

elread0's review against another edition

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reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

jaclyncrupi's review against another edition

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4.0

Anne Tyler is one of my favourite writers and I’ve read every book she’s published (this is her twenty-third). It’s a gorgeous character study of a 40-something man stuck in his own life. I loved Micah Mortimer and his seemingly quiet life that Tyler bursts open with humanity and love. Such a beautifully light touch from Tyler here.

anthea_christie's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

manjiri's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It was quite an interesting read. Essentially, how difficult it is to realise we have a blind spot especially about things that matter the most,  and how easy it is to fall into a pattern of behaviour without realising it.