Redhead by the Side of the Road

“If ever there was a perfect time for a new Anne Tyler novel, it's now — and this one doesn't disappoint . . . Heartwarming and very funny — one of Tyler's best yet.” —People

Agree, agree, agree.

Micah Mortimer is a fellow who has his life completely organized. He is a self-employed tech guy, working when he gets a call, and he manages the apartments where he lives, getting an apartment for free in the bargain. Every day is a day to do a different household task—cleaning out a cabinet, mopping the floor. Organized to the nth.

There's his love life, and maybe that's not as organized as he had hoped. And who is this eighteen-year-old boy showing up at his house unexpectedly? His sisters and their families? Well, maybe his life has a few places he could work to improve.

Someone had told me that Anne Tyler wasn't going to write any more novels after her last book, Vinegar Girl. Maybe that was her intent, but, in any case, I am thrilled she wrote this little gem. Her writing is wonderfully quotable; you read her character's thoughts and you nod your head. She knows her people.

Some quotes:

“Like most families, the Mortimers believed that their family was more fascinating than anybody else's.”

Tyler, Anne. Redhead by the Side of the Road . Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

“'What's the point of living if you don't try to do things better?'”

Tyler, Anne. Redhead by the Side of the Road . Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

“Women kept the world running, really.”

Tyler, Anne. Redhead by the Side of the Road . Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

‘“He asks Joey, ‘Do you love her?' And Joey thinks awhile and then he says, ‘Well, sometimes.' ” “Sometimes!” Micah said. “Oh,” Ada said breezily, “all in all, I guess that's about the most a couple can hope for.”‘

Tyler, Anne. Redhead by the Side of the Road . Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

“Sometimes when he was dealing with people, he felt like he was operating one of those claw machines on a boardwalk, those shovel things where you tried to scoop up a prize but the controls were too unwieldy and you worked at too great a remove.”

Tyler, Anne. Redhead by the Side of the Road . Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.