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kara_readsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
gayathiri_rajendran's review against another edition
4.0
Redhead by the Side of the Road is a small but powerful book. This is my first time reading an Anne Tyler book and I wasn't disappointed. Tyler manages to turn the mundane, ordinary things into something extraordinary through strong observation.
This story follows Micah Mortimer, a 44 year old man who runs his own business. Micah lives in a neat and orderly apartment and he sticks to a schedule strictly with almost no deviation. He also moonlights as the superintendent of his apartment building. He has never been married but he has had a few girlfriends. However, he insists on addressing his current girlfriend Cass as a "lady friend".
We get a glimpse into his family too who are totally opposite. His nature and habits are often the butt of family jokes but Micah ignores them.
His life starts to deviate and unravel slowly when Cass informs him that she might get evicted because of the cat and soon after Brink Bartell Adams, the son of his former girlfriend Lorna shows up at his doorstep assuming Micah to be his dad. Cass is not very impressed when he does not invite her to stay with him and breaks up with him after a short while. Lorna gets in touch with him when he informs her about Brink.
Micah gets thinking when Brink opens up to him about his struggles and he realizes that his life feels very empty without Cass and wonders whether all this order is worth it. At the end, we see him trying to embrace the messiness. This is a good, subtle read about a middle aged man who embraces the natural chaos of life.
Nothing groundbreaking happens in this book but it is a great read which lets us explore the nuances of life which are normally lost in the everyday bustle.
This story follows Micah Mortimer, a 44 year old man who runs his own business. Micah lives in a neat and orderly apartment and he sticks to a schedule strictly with almost no deviation. He also moonlights as the superintendent of his apartment building. He has never been married but he has had a few girlfriends. However, he insists on addressing his current girlfriend Cass as a "lady friend".
We get a glimpse into his family too who are totally opposite. His nature and habits are often the butt of family jokes but Micah ignores them.
His life starts to deviate and unravel slowly when Cass informs him that she might get evicted because of the cat and soon after Brink Bartell Adams, the son of his former girlfriend Lorna shows up at his doorstep assuming Micah to be his dad. Cass is not very impressed when he does not invite her to stay with him and breaks up with him after a short while. Lorna gets in touch with him when he informs her about Brink.
Micah gets thinking when Brink opens up to him about his struggles and he realizes that his life feels very empty without Cass and wonders whether all this order is worth it. At the end, we see him trying to embrace the messiness. This is a good, subtle read about a middle aged man who embraces the natural chaos of life.
Nothing groundbreaking happens in this book but it is a great read which lets us explore the nuances of life which are normally lost in the everyday bustle.
emmiemerereads's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dhall58's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
rmarcin's review against another edition
4.0
Micah Mortimer is a bit of a perfectionist. He likes everything just so. He has a set schedule for cleaning, a different task each day. But, his personality doesn't let him see the bigger picture. He doesn't reach or change things up at all.
When a college friend's son comes to him, it upends his relationship with his woman friend, Cass. This young man puts a wrinkle into his life, and the child's mother explains what she believes went wrong in their relationship. Armed with this knowledge, Micah makes an important change.
I laughed out loud several times reading this book. I loved reading about all the Baltimore area landmarks that were familiar to me. Anne Tyler takes the completely mundane, every day experiences, and turns them into unique stories. Very enjoyable.
When a college friend's son comes to him, it upends his relationship with his woman friend, Cass. This young man puts a wrinkle into his life, and the child's mother explains what she believes went wrong in their relationship. Armed with this knowledge, Micah makes an important change.
I laughed out loud several times reading this book. I loved reading about all the Baltimore area landmarks that were familiar to me. Anne Tyler takes the completely mundane, every day experiences, and turns them into unique stories. Very enjoyable.
mbjrose99's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Such a quick read!! This was enjoyable and poignant, and most especially THE ENDING!!!! AUTHOR WHATTTTTTT?!? Very clever of you I highly enjoyed it!