Over the weekend, a reader e-mailed me to let me know about a new book, Roots of Desire
But beware: though red hair is alluring, it also carries a hint of devilry.
That dichotomy is explored engagingly by Roach, the NPR commentator, in ''The Roots of Desire,'' a book mixing history, science and self-discovery, though it's pegged to a somewhat exaggerated premise. ''That redheads are untrustworthy, fiery, unstable, hot-tempered, highly sexed, rare creatures is what passes for common knowledge today,'' writes Roach, a redhead herself. ''While we no longer burn them at the stake, we still carry potent, inflammatory beliefs about their power.''
After my water broke a week early with my second son, I waited for my doctor to show up at the hospital to do my c-section. As I paced around to ease the contractions and to calm my nerves, another doctor came over to talk. I had thrown a my hissy fit a month or two before when I had to wait too long for my RH- shot, and I guess this impressed him that I was a typical redhead. So, while I was in labor, he proceeded to tell me about every crazy thing that his former redheaded girl friend had done. Um, sorry, I'm a little busy now.
So what's truth, dear redheaded blogger? Do you fit the redhead myth?
There's really only one response to such a question...
Shut up and stop bothering me with such silly questions. Now, come closer so that you can better adore me.