*“MostAnticipatedBooksof2023“--LitHub*“PageOne“featureatPoets&Writers*“12Must-ReadBooksofJanuary2023“--ChicagoReviewofBooks*“Must-ReadPaperbackstoKickOff2023“--BookRiot*“30IndieBookstoLookOutforin2023“--IndependentBookReviewProvocative,poignant,andresoundinglyhilarious,TheRed-HeadedPilgrimisthetragicomictaleofananxiousred-headandhissordidpursuitofenlightenmentandpleasure(notnecessarilyinthatorder).OnasunnydayinabusinessparknearPortland,Oregon,42-year-oldwebdeveloperKevinMaloneyisinthethroesofanexistentialcrisisthatfindshimshoelessinafieldofQueenAnne’slace,reflectingonthetumultuouseventsthatbroughthimtothismoment.Growingupinthesuburbs,youngKevinsuffered“apsychologicalbreakthatrippedmefrommyhumdrumexistence“mainlininghighfructosecornsyrupandepisodesofTheGoldenGirls.Thusbeginsajourneyofhard-earnedinsightsandsexualawakeningthattakesKevinfromangst-riddenBeavertontothebeachesofSanDiego,afrontier-themedroadsideattractioninHelena,Montana,andahermeticshackonanorganiclettucefarm.EverythingchangeswhenKevinfallsinlovewithWendy.AfterachancetarotreadinglandsthemonthefrigidcoastofMaine,theirlivesareunsettledbythebirthoftheirdaughter,Zo禱,whosesuddenpresenceisoftentimesterrifying,frequentlydisturbing,andyet--miraculously--alwayswondrous.TheRed-HeadedPilgrimisanirresistiblenovelofmisadventureandnewbeginnings,ofwanderlustandbaddecisions,ofparenthoodanddivorce,andoftheheartfelttruthsweunearthwhenweleastexpectit.READANEXCERPT:“Hansel&Gretel“excerptedfromTheRed-HeadedPilgrim,onFence.
