When 15 year old Forrestina Bradley runs away from her Missouri home in 1906, she dreams of becoming a circus aerialist. She joins up with the Ringling Brothers and soon begins training on the tightrope. Forrestina loves her circus life and the freedom it offers her. However, after a bad fall and a worse marriage, Forrestina finds her way into the carnival world where she runs a rat game. Now known after her fiery hair color, Red settles on the banks of the White River in Arkansas with a new husband, a dance hall and a moonshine operation. After another bad divorce, Red settles in town becoming a local legend providing entertainment for kids and families.
As soon as Forrestina's character burst onto the page, I knew her story would be entertaining. Forrestina's story is told through her point of view as an older woman with a newspaper reporter, Betty gathering her stories in 1972. From her perspective as an older woman, Red had the opportunity to reflect on her whole life and choices, the good and the bad. Red's exuberance, love of life and precocious nature shone through from the very beginning and was evident throughout her life's story, even when things weren't going well. Red's story is a lesson in being a good person, following your heart and living the life you choose. I was pleased to learn that White River Red was a real person and while her story was fictionalized, her larger than life personality and contributions were all real.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
As soon as Forrestina's character burst onto the page, I knew her story would be entertaining. Forrestina's story is told through her point of view as an older woman with a newspaper reporter, Betty gathering her stories in 1972. From her perspective as an older woman, Red had the opportunity to reflect on her whole life and choices, the good and the bad. Red's exuberance, love of life and precocious nature shone through from the very beginning and was evident throughout her life's story, even when things weren't going well. Red's story is a lesson in being a good person, following your heart and living the life you choose. I was pleased to learn that White River Red was a real person and while her story was fictionalized, her larger than life personality and contributions were all real.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
