Please Note:  I received an advance audio copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

From the beloved and best-selling Anne Tyler, a sparkling new novel about misperception, second chances, and the sometimes elusive power of human connection.

Micah Mortimer is a creature of habit. A self-employed tech expert, superintendent of his Baltimore apartment building, cautious to a fault behind the steering wheel, he seems content leading a steady, circumscribed life. But one day his routines are blown apart when his woman friend (he refuses to call anyone in her late thirties a "girlfriend") tells him she's facing eviction, and a teenager shows up at Micah's door claiming to be his son. These surprises, and the ways they throw Micah's meticulously organized life off-kilter, risk changing him forever. An intimate look into the heart and mind of a man who finds those around him just out of reach, and a funny, joyful, deeply compassionate story about seeing the world through new eyes, Redhead by the Side of the Road is a triumph, filled with Anne Tyler's signature wit and gimlet-eyed observation

Review:

Ever since this pandemic began, I have taken the opportunity to up my reading game.  I try to read at every opportunity, and listen to audiobooks as I work.  I've always loved how Anne Tyler creates sweet, quirky characters and makes us truly care about their happiness.  Redhead by the Side of the Road is a lovely novel about love and second chances.  It is a perfect book for our time.

What I Liked:

Characters:

Micah has many set routines.  Having order in his life is his way of keeping himself frogetting hurt.  I don't think he is consciously doing this.  But his distance (even from his "woman friend") means there won't be an opportunity to blame himself if someone leaves him.

He observes others (like his clients who neehis help with mundane computer issues) with a slight disdain.  But you could feel that he is not quite happy.  I know a few people like this.  People who have a lot to offer, if only they (and others) take the time to get to know them.  This book gives me hope for the people in my life who are like this.

Story:

When Micah loses his steady "woman friend", he is unsettled.  I think when anyone goes through this you go through a period where you reflect on past relationships.  Patterns emerge and you can't help but wallow in self pity.  But (of course), our memories aren't necessarily an accurate chronicle of what actually happened.

Micah gets his reality check when the son of one of his former girlfriend's comes knocking at his door.  This brings his past romances into focus.  Is there something wrong with him?

He begins to understand a pattern.  Once Micah gets a girlfriend, he becomes complacent.  It's like he's checked a box (girlfriend, achieved), and then loses interest.  His many"woman friends" sense this and the  relationships are doomed.

This is not a complicated story.  It's a character study of one man and his journey to understand his life.  This is just the kind of story that Anne Tyler excels at.  If you've ever read her classic book The Accidental Tourist, you understand how she goes deep into a character, makes you adore them, and then picks apart their life.  The fun of the story is how the subject puts their life back together again.

Theme:

I loved the theme of this book, that we can find happiness when we open our hearts to those around us.  Micah isn't ever unhappy, but he certainly seems like he's missing something in his life.  By closing himself to strong ties with others, he is shielding himself from getting hurt.  But his life is less satisfying because of it.  When he finally takes a chance to really connect with others, life is so much better.  In a time where we are forced to keep apart, it's a lovely reminder that when this is over, there will be better times.  I know I will appreciate family gatherings, and get-togethers with friends all the more due to our collective hibernation.

Rating: 

Release Date:  April 7th, 2020

Author:  Anne Tyler

Audiobook Publisher:  Random House Audio

Audio Length:  4 Hrs, 50 Mins.

Print Publisher:  Knop Publishing Group

Genre:  General Fiction

Page Length:  192 Pages

Source:  Publisher

Format:  Audiobook

Recommendation:  I lovely story of a man assessing his life.  A great listening experience.