I started reading For The May Queen disliking the title and cover. That’s an early and easy prejudice to get through. The title made sense after I was reminded of the lyrics the song had been taken from, Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. I especially didn't like the cover photo, though. The model didn't look young at all, with dowdy looking clothes, she seemed about 30 years, staring at a wilted flower. I would have preferred a photo of a punked up looking rock girl with a stoogie and attitude. Once I got past these minor flaws and prejudices, the book flowed from beginning to end. I finished the book in less than 20 hours.
Very simply written, in first person, the dialogue flows along with the story. I've always been curious about what it would have been like to go to college as a teen since I never experienced it. It’s difficult to read Kate Evan’s For The May Queen and not compare one’s own experiences since that's what this book is all about: the main character Norma’s early experiences learning to be on her own while attending college. I never had a childhood or teen years and was forced to be adult beyond my years because of my family situation. I didn't get to go to college until I was 28 years old. It was all about fixing my life and having a career so I could support my son as a single mom. Naturally the stepping-stones and rituals that Norma focused on made me curious.
Norma defines the ritualistic separation that takes place when we leave home for the first time and how this evolves along with her search of self. Parallel to this is young Norma simultaneously seeking her voice as a writer while she searches for her identify. Part of Norma’s learning experience is the richness of people she’s exposed to and drawn to. Naturally drawn to nonconformists, Norma recognizes her own hidden depths and how she too is somehow different.
Article comments
1 - Jeff Reid
We've been asked to put this book on our website, which we did. It is now available for "casting", according to how you see the characters. Take a look. We're trying to get Kate to come on and supply her own "cast" as well. This is the third or fourth Vanilla Heart author to put their works on our site, so we're very excited about this publisher. Kate's book was suggested to us by Chelle Cordero.
Jeff Reid
storycasting.com
"for the movie in your mind"