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Everyone Has a Story to Share
The Red Sheep does a fantastic job of showcasing the lives of ordinary people. Why was this an important aspect of this novel for you?
Everyone has a story to share. Everyday stories are stories everyday people can relate to. By sharing the lives of the “ordinary”, I planned to connect with ordinary people and help them to become part of the story.
What were some challenges you set for yourself as a writer with this book?
Allowing Jessica to be Jessica as a young child, a teenager and an adult was a challenge. It was important to portray Jessica as a young child in a way relevant to an adult reader, as well as adopt traits common to her other phases of life without losing who she was. While she interacts with her grandparents in a typically childish way, I intended those interactions to be insightful to readers of all ages. Her interactions as a teenager and then, as an adult are more relatable to the reader.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to explore the concept of family in contemporary society and how the complexities of a person’s past do not always relate to their present.
I also wanted to explore the concept of aging and death and the theological beliefs that surround it. As well I wanted to explore this concept through the eyes of a child. Most of us deal with death and loss as adults. The simplicity of childhood can bring out an even more complex set of emotions around such an event.
The other theme was that of relationships: the bond between mother and daughter; the support between husband and wife; the connection between partners in their later stages of life.
Do you have future plans to write books in other genres?
I have several projects underway which involve historical adventure fiction, young adult adventure and middle grade fiction.
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The Red Sheep
The Red Sheep is a beautiful story of love, belonging, and found family. Jessica knows she is different, her flaming hair and freckles. No one else in her family has these traits but she shares a lot of traits with her beloved Pop. Pop and Nan are wise, lovely grandparents but they will not be around forever. Jessica has many questions to answer and many secrets to uncover, but they may not be easy to swallow and some may come with a cost. Nonetheless, Jessica is determined to find answers and is willing to spend her whole life searching.
The Red Sheep does a great job of humanizing and bringing to life it characters. One of the most enjoyable aspects about the cast of characters was their breathtaking diversity and inclusivity. It is so refreshing to have a deep, engaging story with characters that are diverse but not tokens. The Red Sheep includes characters of many faiths, races, and even includes neuro-divergent and LGBTQIA+ characters. The book emphasizes acceptance and love of all people which is part of what makes it so touching. Acceptance and unconditional love seem to be some of the main messages of the book and it clearly shows. These messages raise great questions and really make the reader think about what it means to be family, believe in others, or stand up for what is right.
The Red Sheep is wonderfully written and engaging. It is intriguing right from the beginning and twists the readers emotions completely into knots. Despite the book not containing a lot of action, it is still gripping because of the inherent drama. Richardson writes The Red Sheep with love and care, going right for the reader’s heart, capturing it and keeping it close. Jessica and her family’s story move the heart and soul deeply. Similarly, the dialogue is free flowing and natural. Particularly the easygoing banter and teasing that Pop and Nan engage in.
This story was an inspiring and poignant read that is sure to touch the hearts and minds of many readers. The lyrical reading combined with the vivid and inclusive characterization make this novel a delight to read. It brings laughter and perhaps some tears simultaneously, making this a remarkable literary journey.
Pages: 329 | ASIN: B08LN11JGC
LITERARY TITAN 