Spring Break
Author, lecturer tells story about dorm life
Michael Le Roy
Issue date: 2/24/09 Section: News
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With more than 40 people at the reading, the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies was filled with alumni, students and SJSU faculty.
Kate Evans received a master in fine arts from SJSU, and has previously written a collection of poems called "Like All We Love" and "Negotiating the Self," a book about gay and lesbian teachers.
"For the May Queen" is a novel about Norma Rogers' first year of dorm life. Set in 1981, the book explores "how to live life amidst everything that entails crazy dorm life," Evans said. Norma has the full college experience that includes partying and drug use.
"I have a daughter who went to UC Santa Cruz in the 1980s and it definitely sparked my interest. What impressed me more was the quality of the writing," said Tim Peck, an SJSU alumnus.
The book is set in Sacramento, but a few chapters are set in the Bay Area. "There is a line I found was hilarious, 'Oh I didn't want to go to San Jose State, because a whole bunch of people go there and they are usually skanky'," said Daisy Luu, an SJSU alumna.
Evans read a chapter from the book that described what happened to Norma after she took a "mystery pill" at a party that made her body completely numb. Under the effects of the pill, Norma ran into walls laughing at the fact she could not feel a thing. The next day Norma was sore and covered with bruises.
Vincent Woodruff, a senior English literature major, said he enjoyed the reading despite not having a chance to read the book.
"Coming here I didn't know what to expect," he said.
"As she was reading, I could tell the characters were very well developed," Woodruff said.
After the reading, students, faculty and alumni were treated to a champagne reception to celebrate the book and get a chance to have their books signed by Evans.
"I am honored," Evans said about the reception. "I can't believe everything my department did for me for this."
The English and comparative literature department hosts events like the book reading to "build a connection with people that came through our department," said Assistant Professor Cathleen Miller. The event's goal was to get alumni of the English department to come back and visit the campus, Miller said.
Evans said she wanted the book to be a fun retro ride and be serious at the same time. The book can be funny at times, but Evans said, "These young people are in danger very often."
The next book Evans is writing is going to be set in San Jose. The book is about a straight woman who meets and falls in love with a lesbian, Evans said. The book, "Complementary Colors," will be out this summer.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Clara
posted 2/24/09 @ 9:36 PM PST
Life in dorm is a topic that really deservs a book :-) It was the best time in my life, so I would love to read about somebody else experience...
On the other hand, what one person likes, other hates. (Continued…)
Lisa
posted 2/25/09 @ 7:51 AM PST
That's interesting you say that because at the end of the novel two of the characters have this debate. One says it was the best time of her life and another says he hated every minute. (Continued…)
Chelle Cordero
posted 2/25/09 @ 11:56 AM PST
For The May Queen was a terrific book, the story was well told and the characters were very beleivable.
I enjoyed the story and have recommended it to several friends. (Continued…)
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