Redhead by the side of the road: Book Review
Title: Redhead by the side of the road
Author: Anne Tyler
Genre: Fiction
This one piqued by interest as it was long listed for the Man Booker prize this year.
Set in Baltimore, the story revolves around an ordinary man named Micah. Micah prides himself in doing mundane chores. This includes going for a run, cleaning his apartment, doing odd jobs and spending time with his woman friend. When a boy named Brink lands up at his doorstep and claims Micah to be his father, the latter’s monotonous life is disrupted.
Anne Tyler’s ability to create good imagery, her eye for detail, the subtle wry humour in the engaging dialogues, makes it an absorbing read. It captures the struggles faced by simple characters which easily resonates with the readers. Themes of loneliness and relationships are touched upon here.
The story has an interesting mix of a certain breeziness interspersed with some depth. It’s also fascinating to see the title being a metaphor for the protagonist’ faulty view of himself and his relationships.
Redhead by the side of the road is bittersweet and heartwarming. It’s a wonder how the author weaves interesting stories out of the ordinary to make them appear extraordinary.
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