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The Redheaded Stepchild
Cady O’Donnell is The Redheaded Stepchild, the heroine without any grandiose heroic actions. In this disjointed collection of short stories, we follow Cady as she tries on every hat in the this-is-your-life store to see what fits and works best in the adventures she shares with her special head of hair. Each chapter acts as a screaming independent connection between the most formative years of her life, as she meets, lives with, and loses one of the most influential people in her lifetime. Set in a rural community in Minnesota, The Redheaded Stepchild is an archetype of life in small-town America and a testament that the broken family is the new whole family, just as Cady O’Donnell shows how the unwanted stepchild can be an everyday hero.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2011
4 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Kelly I. Hitchcock
4 books51 followersKelly I. Hitchcock is a literary fiction author, humorist, and poet in Austin, Texas. She has published several poems, short stories, and creative non-fiction works in literary journals, and is the author of the coming-of-age novel The Redheaded Stepchild, a semi-finalist in the literary category for The Kindle Book Review’s “Best Indie Books of 2011”, and Portrait of Woman in Ink: A Tattoo Storybook. Her newest novel, Community Klepto, released June 2022, courtesy of She Writes Press. She is world-renowned among a growing readership of several folks. She is an editorial contributor to Austin Moms and Moms Don't Have Time To.
Raised by a single father in the small town of Buffalo, Missouri, Kelly has fond memories of life being broke as shit in the Ozarks that strongly influence her writing and way of life. She’s a graduate of Missouri State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. She has eight-year-old identical twins and a full-time job, so writing and picking up LEGO are the only other things she can devote herself to.
Raised by a single father in the small town of Buffalo, Missouri, Kelly has fond memories of life being broke as shit in the Ozarks that strongly influence her writing and way of life. She’s a graduate of Missouri State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. She has eight-year-old identical twins and a full-time job, so writing and picking up LEGO are the only other things she can devote herself to.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 6, 2012
After having read and reviewed a particularly unreadable book of short stories, a book that should have been written in invisible ink to protect potential readers from its awfulness, I scoured the internet for an antidote. I found one in Kelly Hitchcock's "The Redheaded Stepchild." By the time I got to page 4, I felt my blood pressure lower and the knot in my stomach dissipate. With wild gratitude I was reminded that yes, there are still amazing writers left in the world.
Hitchcock's power of observation is phenomenal. She has mastered the art of articulating minute details of human behavior that most of us perceive only subliminally if at all. I'm not talking about long, drawn out, boring details, but quick, rich, telling details that give the reader the kind of character insight one could only get from a lie detector test.
I don't think I've published enough reviews to expose myself as the harsh critic that I am, so you probably don't realize the magnitude of the compliment I'm bestowing on this author.
Here are just two examples of the many gems that delighted me:
..."It took him almost a year before he was able to give Katrina a hug, and even that was like watching a walking stick try to hug a caterpillar."
..."my mother's car looked as though it had been through menopause twice..."
The Redheaded Stepchild is a beautifully written coming of age story for readers of any age. The characters are multifaceted and well-drawn, the voice refreshingly unique, and the story poignant, hilarious, and horrifying all at once. And, as if the author doesn't already attack all of our senses with an uncanny eye for detail, she adds a disjointed timeline, jumping back and forth to pivotal events that define her protagonist.
We are fascinated by this because she does it deftly and because she innately understands that we are all the sum of the best and worst events of our lives, events that have no need to be told in chronological order for anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together. Of course, if you're used to reading books by authors who can't write a compound sentence unless the connecting words are "and then," you probably won't understand what The Redheaded Stepchild is about. The rest of you, beware! You may take longer than necessary to read this book because you might find yourself re-reading particular phrases and sentences (maybe whole paragraphs!) just to savor the deliciousness of Hitchcock's insane proficiency with language.
Bravo! Kelly Hitchcock is definitely an author to follow for years to come. I wish I could give this novel 10 stars. Redundantly, I affirm that I am a fan.
Hitchcock's power of observation is phenomenal. She has mastered the art of articulating minute details of human behavior that most of us perceive only subliminally if at all. I'm not talking about long, drawn out, boring details, but quick, rich, telling details that give the reader the kind of character insight one could only get from a lie detector test.
I don't think I've published enough reviews to expose myself as the harsh critic that I am, so you probably don't realize the magnitude of the compliment I'm bestowing on this author.
Here are just two examples of the many gems that delighted me:
..."It took him almost a year before he was able to give Katrina a hug, and even that was like watching a walking stick try to hug a caterpillar."
..."my mother's car looked as though it had been through menopause twice..."
The Redheaded Stepchild is a beautifully written coming of age story for readers of any age. The characters are multifaceted and well-drawn, the voice refreshingly unique, and the story poignant, hilarious, and horrifying all at once. And, as if the author doesn't already attack all of our senses with an uncanny eye for detail, she adds a disjointed timeline, jumping back and forth to pivotal events that define her protagonist.
We are fascinated by this because she does it deftly and because she innately understands that we are all the sum of the best and worst events of our lives, events that have no need to be told in chronological order for anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together. Of course, if you're used to reading books by authors who can't write a compound sentence unless the connecting words are "and then," you probably won't understand what The Redheaded Stepchild is about. The rest of you, beware! You may take longer than necessary to read this book because you might find yourself re-reading particular phrases and sentences (maybe whole paragraphs!) just to savor the deliciousness of Hitchcock's insane proficiency with language.
Bravo! Kelly Hitchcock is definitely an author to follow for years to come. I wish I could give this novel 10 stars. Redundantly, I affirm that I am a fan.
July 27, 2012
This review originally published in Literary Treats .
Kelly Hitchcock’s The Redheaded Stepchild is an impressive collection of short stories that moves back and forth in time to chronicle the strained relationship between Cady and her stepmother Katrina. It’s difficult to categorize Stepchild as either a novel or a short story collection — while each story stands alone, all the stories combine to form a cohesive narrative thread. I love the dual meaning in the book’s title — Cady is certainly a redhead and a stepchild, but the title also clearly refers to the colloquial use of the phrase “redheaded stepchild,” meaning someone treated worse than both biological children and other stepchildren.
This is certainly the case for Cady. We are treated in the first story to Cady at twenty, home from college and dropping by Katrina’s hair salon. When Cady admits her father hasn’t confided in her about his problems, Katrina reacts with disdain, declaring that Cady should “learn to communicate better with him.” Considering that Katrina herself hadn’t spoken to Cady’s father in a while, Cady understandably gets her hackles up: “I was still his oldest child. [...] To [Katrina] my father was nothing more than a worn-out lover.” Unfortunately, Cady is too meek to stand up to Katrina, and instead ends up flustered and intimidated.
This dynamic pretty much characterizes their decade-long relationship, as Hitchcock chronicles it. Hitchcock works well with dialogue, juxtaposing Cady’s awkward, hesitant phrases with Katrina’s biting jibes. We see Cady’s emotional outbursts beside Katrina’s coldness. This is especially evident in “Pageant,” where Cady has her heart set on singing an original composition for her final high school pageant, and Katrina tears her down, saying Cady should instead stick to her usual cover of “Concrete Angel.” I don’t mean to paint Cady as a total victim, because she’s not. The best part of Hitchcock’s stories is that the emotional core is actually rather subdued, so that we sympathize with Cady rather than pity her.
The book as a whole speaks about Cady’s struggle for confidence and independence, for freedom not just from her cold-hearted stepmother, but also from her small-town life. With this in mind, I think Hitchcock’s decision not to tell Cady’s story chronologically works really well. I admit being a bit confused at the beginning — Hitchcock only notes Cady’s age after each story, and I didn’t like not being told how old Cady was up front. That being said, once I got into the rhythm of the book, it became easier to tell, if not how old Cady was exactly, at least at what point in her life we’re seeing her. She does develop as a character, and it’s great to see the subtle shifts in her concerns and her confidence level as she does. The first and the last stories work particularly well in framing Cady’s tale — set just a year apart, we see a marked difference in tone, and we can appreciate this because of all the stories in between.
While much of the focus is on Cady and her stepmother, I also liked reading about Cady’s siblings — by this, I mean her biological ones, since she feels more of an older sister protectiveness towards them. In one of my favourite scenes, Cady comes across an old school paper by her younger sister Teresa from 1st/2nd grade. Filled with spelling errors and an endearing backwards “e”, Teresa writes about how “Cafrin” is her hero. That story ends with Cady telling her father she goes by Catherine from now on, and that just about broke my heart. I love how strong the bond between the sisters is, and I love how Hitchcock used small details (the backwards e, a forgotten apostrophe) to evoke so much.
The Redheaded Stepchild is a touching, sweet book. It’s the small details that get you, and while Hitchcock sometimes has a tendency to go overboard with the emotional scenes, the stories overall do tug on the heartstrings. A very good book.
+
Thank you to the author for a finished copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Kelly Hitchcock’s The Redheaded Stepchild is an impressive collection of short stories that moves back and forth in time to chronicle the strained relationship between Cady and her stepmother Katrina. It’s difficult to categorize Stepchild as either a novel or a short story collection — while each story stands alone, all the stories combine to form a cohesive narrative thread. I love the dual meaning in the book’s title — Cady is certainly a redhead and a stepchild, but the title also clearly refers to the colloquial use of the phrase “redheaded stepchild,” meaning someone treated worse than both biological children and other stepchildren.
This is certainly the case for Cady. We are treated in the first story to Cady at twenty, home from college and dropping by Katrina’s hair salon. When Cady admits her father hasn’t confided in her about his problems, Katrina reacts with disdain, declaring that Cady should “learn to communicate better with him.” Considering that Katrina herself hadn’t spoken to Cady’s father in a while, Cady understandably gets her hackles up: “I was still his oldest child. [...] To [Katrina] my father was nothing more than a worn-out lover.” Unfortunately, Cady is too meek to stand up to Katrina, and instead ends up flustered and intimidated.
This dynamic pretty much characterizes their decade-long relationship, as Hitchcock chronicles it. Hitchcock works well with dialogue, juxtaposing Cady’s awkward, hesitant phrases with Katrina’s biting jibes. We see Cady’s emotional outbursts beside Katrina’s coldness. This is especially evident in “Pageant,” where Cady has her heart set on singing an original composition for her final high school pageant, and Katrina tears her down, saying Cady should instead stick to her usual cover of “Concrete Angel.” I don’t mean to paint Cady as a total victim, because she’s not. The best part of Hitchcock’s stories is that the emotional core is actually rather subdued, so that we sympathize with Cady rather than pity her.
The book as a whole speaks about Cady’s struggle for confidence and independence, for freedom not just from her cold-hearted stepmother, but also from her small-town life. With this in mind, I think Hitchcock’s decision not to tell Cady’s story chronologically works really well. I admit being a bit confused at the beginning — Hitchcock only notes Cady’s age after each story, and I didn’t like not being told how old Cady was up front. That being said, once I got into the rhythm of the book, it became easier to tell, if not how old Cady was exactly, at least at what point in her life we’re seeing her. She does develop as a character, and it’s great to see the subtle shifts in her concerns and her confidence level as she does. The first and the last stories work particularly well in framing Cady’s tale — set just a year apart, we see a marked difference in tone, and we can appreciate this because of all the stories in between.
While much of the focus is on Cady and her stepmother, I also liked reading about Cady’s siblings — by this, I mean her biological ones, since she feels more of an older sister protectiveness towards them. In one of my favourite scenes, Cady comes across an old school paper by her younger sister Teresa from 1st/2nd grade. Filled with spelling errors and an endearing backwards “e”, Teresa writes about how “Cafrin” is her hero. That story ends with Cady telling her father she goes by Catherine from now on, and that just about broke my heart. I love how strong the bond between the sisters is, and I love how Hitchcock used small details (the backwards e, a forgotten apostrophe) to evoke so much.
The Redheaded Stepchild is a touching, sweet book. It’s the small details that get you, and while Hitchcock sometimes has a tendency to go overboard with the emotional scenes, the stories overall do tug on the heartstrings. A very good book.
+
Thank you to the author for a finished copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2016
[Full disclosure: I received a free ebook from Kelly Hitchcock in exchange for an honest review.]
Sometimes, after reading fantasy and science fiction you lose sight of the fact that normal life makes good fiction as well. The Redheaded Stepchild is just that: a tale about normal life out in rural America, which is also applicable to rural Canada. And as someone who grew up in a very rural area, I can say with absolute certainty that Kelly Hitchcock portrays rural life incredibly well without any embellishments.
Our heroine Catherine, or Cady for short, isn’t a kick-butt action heroine that you find in a lot of sci-fi and fantasy. She’s just an average girl trying to deal with a dysfunctional family situation. Her family’s poor but not starving, her father is divorced and has remarried and she’s going to college to make a better life for herself. No, nothing truly unusual or overly dramatic here. But that doesn’t mean The Redheaded Stepchild isn’t interesting. What it does mean is that you get a slice of normal characters trying to deal with normal life, a true rarity in fiction. It sort of puts things in perspective as we watch Cady grow up through several disjointed short stories. (Of course everything is tied together in the end, but I found it was an interesting way to tell Cady’s story.)
Really, what else is there to say? Cady was a great character with a believable character arc, the plot was not fast-paced but it was interesting and Kelly Hitchcock’s quality of writing is excellent. The Redheaded Stepchild probably isn’t for everyone, but if you’re tired of fantastic stories and want a slice of normal life, this would be a great book for you.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads rating purposes.
Sometimes, after reading fantasy and science fiction you lose sight of the fact that normal life makes good fiction as well. The Redheaded Stepchild is just that: a tale about normal life out in rural America, which is also applicable to rural Canada. And as someone who grew up in a very rural area, I can say with absolute certainty that Kelly Hitchcock portrays rural life incredibly well without any embellishments.
Our heroine Catherine, or Cady for short, isn’t a kick-butt action heroine that you find in a lot of sci-fi and fantasy. She’s just an average girl trying to deal with a dysfunctional family situation. Her family’s poor but not starving, her father is divorced and has remarried and she’s going to college to make a better life for herself. No, nothing truly unusual or overly dramatic here. But that doesn’t mean The Redheaded Stepchild isn’t interesting. What it does mean is that you get a slice of normal characters trying to deal with normal life, a true rarity in fiction. It sort of puts things in perspective as we watch Cady grow up through several disjointed short stories. (Of course everything is tied together in the end, but I found it was an interesting way to tell Cady’s story.)
Really, what else is there to say? Cady was a great character with a believable character arc, the plot was not fast-paced but it was interesting and Kelly Hitchcock’s quality of writing is excellent. The Redheaded Stepchild probably isn’t for everyone, but if you’re tired of fantastic stories and want a slice of normal life, this would be a great book for you.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads rating purposes.
April 15, 2012
The Redheaded Stepchild is a well written coming of age story. The characters are intriguing and the story is captivating. I enjoyed the author’s detailed descriptions throughout the book. The relationships in this story are both entertaining and devastating. Although I couldn’t put it down, I do want to say that is was a good read, but emotional as well. It reminded me of trying to read while on a roller coaster.
The story jumps back and forth in time, from the present to Cady’s memories of the past. Though this could be confusing for some, it made sense in the story. She "remembers" her hurts and anguish, as well as the few positive highlights of her life. It was both interesting and frustrating to read at the same time.
If you like drama, female antagonists, chaotic family relationships and internal struggles, then this book is for you. If you are looking for a lighthearted, quick read, then lay this book aside for another time. It is not quick, nor lighthearted. Author Kelly Hitchcock is an author to watch. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author for this review. All my reviews are my personal opinion. See my Policy& Disclosure for more info (http://btweenprose.blogspot.com)
The story jumps back and forth in time, from the present to Cady’s memories of the past. Though this could be confusing for some, it made sense in the story. She "remembers" her hurts and anguish, as well as the few positive highlights of her life. It was both interesting and frustrating to read at the same time.
If you like drama, female antagonists, chaotic family relationships and internal struggles, then this book is for you. If you are looking for a lighthearted, quick read, then lay this book aside for another time. It is not quick, nor lighthearted. Author Kelly Hitchcock is an author to watch. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author for this review. All my reviews are my personal opinion. See my Policy& Disclosure for more info (http://btweenprose.blogspot.com)
November 30, 2011
For those of you who have never read a Kelly Hitchcock story you are going to be in for a treat. For those of you who have read one of her stories you will find this one a great read that you won't be able to put down until you finish it (and I had to read it again to make sure that I didn't miss anything).
I love Kelly's stories for the way she paints vivid pictures with her words. It's almost as though you are there, walking alongside her main character Cady as she heads back to her rural hometown. Her descriptions of the places and people compel you to know them and see them for who they are and the symbolism they hold in Cady's life.
Even though I grew up in rural Missouri the memories it brought back of my own childhood were like an old comfortable blanket that settled comfortably around me. I can identify with Cady her feelings and her journey. The Redheaded Stepchild is just the first of many stories I look forward to reading from this wonderful author.
I love Kelly's stories for the way she paints vivid pictures with her words. It's almost as though you are there, walking alongside her main character Cady as she heads back to her rural hometown. Her descriptions of the places and people compel you to know them and see them for who they are and the symbolism they hold in Cady's life.
Even though I grew up in rural Missouri the memories it brought back of my own childhood were like an old comfortable blanket that settled comfortably around me. I can identify with Cady her feelings and her journey. The Redheaded Stepchild is just the first of many stories I look forward to reading from this wonderful author.
June 13, 2012
Kelly Hitchcock is a gifted writer, able to create a memorable sense of being there in the world she creates on the page, or virtual page, as I read Redheaded Stepchild on a Kindle. Her characters leap off the page, the real world problems of a step family are described in unforgettable detail. The obstacle character is a wicked stepmother giving the story the quality of a modern day fairy tale, and I personally love fairy tales. In addition, one gets a glimpse into the world of beauty pageants. I’m not surprised that there are parents who use their children to win these contests, but up close, it is ugly. These types of parents or step-parents are either living vicariously through their children, or simply trying to exploit them for money. Either way it’s an interesting world to see up close. I enjoyed this book immensely and would definitely recommend it to my friends and family.
June 22, 2013
I downloaded The Redheaded Stepchild by author Kelly I. Hitchcock and am so pleased I did. I was immediately drawn into the story by Hitchcock’s vivid descriptions and easy to relate to dialogue. Cady won my heart immediately. I was ready to pick up the phone and give Katrina a piece of my mind, only I didn’t need to…Cady took care of herself just fine, and her tenacity and strength were simply admirable. Though painful at times because of the cruel behavior of Katrina, the authenticity of the characters made this story very realistic, and I couldn’t wait to read on. Cady’s story played in my mind when I was forced to put down my Kindle and resume my own, real life. Thanks, Ms. Hitchcock for effortlessly pulling me into the story of Catherine O’Donnell and letting me root for a worthy heroine. I look forward to more from the author, and I highly recommend this novel.
December 23, 2011
Catherine O'Donnell wants what we all want...to be loved. This tale made me want to wrap young Catherine in a hug and tell her it's going to be OK. Her stepmother is a character you'll love to hate as you experience those awkward teen years through the lens of a girl who just needs a mother's unconditional acceptance.
This book is for you if you loathe toddlers & tiaras. This book is for you if you know what it's like to grow up poor. This book is for you if you, like Catherine, value your siblings and their futures more than you value your own well-being!
This was a quick and comfortable read. I'm looking forward to more from this promising new author!
This book is for you if you loathe toddlers & tiaras. This book is for you if you know what it's like to grow up poor. This book is for you if you, like Catherine, value your siblings and their futures more than you value your own well-being!
This was a quick and comfortable read. I'm looking forward to more from this promising new author!
December 13, 2011
An excellent book from Kelly Hitchcock! I felt like I was journeying through life with Cady, feeling every emotion with her. I couldn't help but feel hopeful, yet jaded with Cady as she meets her new stepmom, and I understood the love hate relationship Cad had for her stepmom as Cady grew up. Kelly paints vivid imagery of the house Cady lived in, the town, her friends, her relationship with her Mother, and most importantly her relationship with her Father to make the story so realistic. I can't wait to read Kelly's next book!
August 23, 2012
As I started reading I was immediately drawn in by the narrative. I liked Cady's voice and her dry sense of humor. I enjoyed her descriptions and observations. Each chapter is a snippet of Cady's life that shows how certain people and events can shape a person as they grow. Many of the events she describes explore her family relationships, both with her natural family and her step-family. The characters and relationships seem very realistic. The story is not particularly dramatic, yet I found myself wanting more when it was over.
June 17, 2012
Kelly Hitchcock did an excellent job with the realism and humanness of her characters in this collection of short stories. While the stories were not particularly uplifting, they give you a glimpse into the life of Cady through her teen years and a little beyond, and her somewhat complicated relationship with her stepmother in a blended family. There's an overarching sadness throughout the book, but in the end, you know Cady will be just fine.
February 4, 2014
This. Was. Great! It's been a while since I've been committed to reading a book...I usually pick it up, put it away, pick it up, put it away...But I truly loved reading this book! My favorite books are those that chronicle life, just simple life that a person can relate to, and The Redheaded Stepchild does just that.
May 24, 2013
A good first coming of age novel. Probably a decent suggestion for young adults. I did have a little bit of a problem with some of the continuity but overall it was a nice read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews