Complementary Colors

by Kate Evans

What happens when a 31-year-old straight woman falls in love with a lesbian? It's 1993, and Gwen Sullivan is agitated. She's been married and divorced and is now living with her scientist boyfriend who loses himself in dark moods. Her job at a tutoring center and her work on the Bill Clinton-for-President campaign leave her vaguely dissatisfied. She hopes taking a night class in poetry might help. In the poetry class, the allure of two lesbians takes her by surprise. She can't get them out of her mind. This prompts her to question who she is-and who she wants to be. Soon, Gwen cannot deny her intense attraction to one of the women, Jamie. The feeling is mutual, but Jamie, too, is in a long-term relationship-with a woman minister. As Jamie and Gwen become more and more entwined, Gwen must ask herself who she is and what she wants from life. She begins to see gender, sex and sexuality differently. And as she feels compelled to "confess" her love for Jamie to her women friends, she is continually surprised by their complex reactions. This leads her to make one of the most important decisions of her life.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Lesbian, Romance, LGBT

252 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2009

About the author

Kate is the author of the best-selling memoir duo: WANDERLAND: LIVING THE TRAVELING LIFE and CALL IT WONDER: AN ODYSSEY OF, LOVE, SEX, SPIRIT & TRAVEL, named "Best Memoir" at the Bisexual Book Awards--where Kate was also lauded as "Writer of the Year" by the Bi Writers Association.

Her other books include two novels (FOR THE MAY QUEEN & COMPLEMENTARY COLORS), two poetry collections, and a book about teaching. Her stories, poems and essays have appeared in more than 50 publications. With Mary Janelle Melvin, she co-authored a French Revolution historical romance, REVOLUTIONARY KISS (under the pen-name Mary-Kate Summers).

Recipient of a PhD from the University of Washington and an MFA from San Jose State University--where she is Emeritus Faculty--she has taught writing and literature in California, China, and Japan. As a writing coach and editor, she helps writers unleash and shape their stories. She also leads writing workshops worldwide.

Half the year she lives in Mexico. The other half, she travels.

Reviews

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars for Complementary Colors (audiobook) by Kate Evans read by Emma Bernbach.

This was a interesting story about a woman coming to terms with her sexuality. After being in a long term relationship with a man she suddenly has feelings for her female friend. I find these relationships fascinating.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so sure going into the audiobook that I would enjoy the story and the exploration on sexuality and I definitely wasn't disappointed. A very clever and intriguing written story that was easy getting invested in. Interested to see what Kate Evans writes next!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a married bisexual woman, I found this a wonderfully disconcerting read. It's rare that I find work in which the narrator's sexuality is so close to my own experience. While I was aware of my bisexuality much earlier than the narrator of Complementary Colors, it's great to find the feelings and experiences of being attracted to both certain men and certain women described instead of labeled. Another page-turner from Kate Evans-- can't wait to see what she publishes next!

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked Evan's last book, For the May Queen, but Complementary Colors exceeded my expectations. Her main character, Gwen, is more developed and more sophisticated intellectually and psychologically. Gwen's depth and acquisitiveness are pronounced, we are privy to her flaws and strengths at once. All of the character complexities are laid bare to see their receptivity and warmth alongside petty or not so petty jealousies.
Miserable and frustrated with her long-term Jewish lover, Daniel, Gwen wonders if he’ll ever introduce her to his family. Gwen becomes frustrated with Daniel who alternates between romantic sweet comportment and uncommunicative distancing. At the same time Gwen develops sexual curiosities that are new and strange to her, provoking and evoking her. Gwen doesn’t quite get why she’s being pulled towards these two very hip beautiful resourceful women she met in poetry class so she examines her desires. Pulled between her longings for Jamie and her history with Daniel who grows more insipid daily only makes Jamie more refreshing.
Who wouldn’t want to be with a woman who’s more confident open and communicative than anyone she’s been with before. Overwhelmed by her sexual and spiritual attraction to Jamie, Gwen questions her relationship to Daniel. Gwen examines every aspect of her feelings trying to understand the where’s and why’s of this new advent in her life.
Gwen is endearing, annoying and cloying all at the same time. To me, evoking this kind of feeling about Gwen shows Evans as a true player on the field. This writing has become move complex more woven and more depth. There’s vastly developed descriptions and analysis of character mood along with the physical places described. I see the girlhood home through her descriptions as we drive together into her parents’ driveway.
Driven to do some zestful inquisitive soul searching leads Gwen to a physical search away from home and hearth, a drive back to her girlhood past to rediscover who she really is. What Gwen discovers is that our pasts can never define us completely because we have these hidden elements raring to come out given the proper milieu, and bearing. It’s all about love and discovery.

[Collin Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

We meet Gwen Sullivan at a crossroads in her life. She's feeling unsatisfied, but hasn't quite put her finger on why she's so restless. Maybe it's because her boyfriend -- an over-achieving and aloof scientist -- is no longer rocking her world or that she's working a job as a tutor that has no future. She feels adrift and decides that a poetry workshop might spark her creativity. Little does she know that the class will turn her entire life upside down. She falls in love with a woman, Jamie, who is in a long-term relationship with another woman. Gwen must come to terms with her new sexuality and navigate the potential landmines of coming out to her family and leaving her boyfriend behind.

While there are plenty of coming out stories in print, Kate Evans' exploration of an older woman recognizing her sexuality is something different. This is essentially a romance, but Kate's excellent, poetic writing takes "Complementary Colors" to a new level. There's an urgency about Gwen's decision that makes "Complementary Colors" an unexpected page-turner. Will Gwen and Jamie's forbidden romance be discovered? Is Gwen's boyfriend having an affair? Will Jamie's best friend and former lover throw a wrench into the budding relationship? You won't be able to put it down until you have the answers.

[Jenny Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good lesbian romance, intelligent and perceptive. It’s the story of a woman who takes a poetry class and so changes her life. This includes exchanging her introverted scientist boyfriend for a free-spirited tattooed woman.

The novel is completely believable. This woman could be a friend, she could be you. The slow process of detachment from an old love, the electricity of new desire – these things are described with clarity and fluidity. Evans is gentle and subtle as she conveys the atmosphere in each scene. She never overwrites.

[Emily Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got my creative juices flowing

[Steve Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book by Kate Evans that I have read and enjoyed. The characters in this book are so believable that I want to meet them. Her books are set in the Northern CA area, and it also feels like I have been to her locations. I also must share that the love scene in Santa Cruz is a turn on for this straight man.

I can barely remember some of feelings that her central character Gwen experience, but I understand the source of the painful love experiences. I also like the scene in the bookstore in which Kate Evans describes being aware of people's aura, and yes it is an experience shared by others.

My thanks to Kate Evans for the wonderful experiences in your new book; COMPLEMENTARY COLORS.

[Michele Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS follows Kate Evans' first novel, FOR THE MAY QUEEN with an engaging story about a woman coming to terms with who she is and what she wants from life. As an aside, it happens that this involves examining her sexuality and making some difficult life choices, but the book is more about self-exploration and discovery than exploring alternate sexual orientations. I grew to like each of her characters a great deal as I read, and as I got to to know them better, I appreciated that Evans didn't default to the old, tired stereotypes that so often characterize books about coming out and lesbianism. This was a truly enjoyable read and I'm already looking forward to her next novel with enthusiasm!

[Danielle Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Evans’ new novel COMPLEMENTARY COLORS starts off with the lines “I was craving something, but I wasn’t exactly sure what. I wanted something new. I wanted something beautiful.” Nothing could be more appropriate for the way I felt coming into this novel. Evans weaves and entertaining and nuanced tale with wonderful characters and an intimate look on the human dynamic. Her characters are fresh, but real, and the story doesn’t fall back on cliché. Despite being a quick and fun read, I walked away from the novel feeling like I’d witnessed an actual metamorphosis of a close friend. This book pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

[Ellen Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a highly enjoyable read about a straight woman finding herself in love with another woman while both of them are partnered with other people. Twoo things I loved about the main character was that she was so earnest in her desires and honest about her pain, and in a realistic way, like real people can be when they find themselves torn and confused and overwhelmed by powerful emotions. The plot was admirably constructed so that the events unfolded in a seamless way. A good read all around.

[Dalit Avnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book... It's very light reading.. Meaning, once you begin reading this book, it's hard to leave it before finishing it.
I liked the narrator of the book, because she was honest to herself.. she was in touch with her own feelings and was open to explore them.
Same thing with the other woman - Jamie - she also was honest with her feelings and she expressed them directly.
I saw her bluntness of expressing feelings as something rare in our days. Most people would play games.. or hide their feelings, especially when they are already in relationship.
I enjoyed the book.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had fun giving my own book 5 stars. Take that, New York Times book reviewers!

The journey of writing this novel was an arduous joy, as is my way with writing, and I'm excited that Gwen, Daniel, Jamie and Cat will soon be in the hands of readers. Who knows how my story will play out in others' minds? Words always do less than we want and more than we know.

[Cowcatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about a difficult subject! Well written. It is not my usual choice of reading matter.

[Glenda Bailey-Mershon · Rating 3 out of 5]

More than a coming-of-age story, this is an examination of what it takes to accept oneself and commit to love. Good writing.

[E.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at a woman coming into her own. Some beautiful, almost poetic images.

[franklYn · Rating 3 out of 5]

well i guess the coming to terms spiel was a pro but overall i would say this book has not left any impact on me. it’s by no means boring and overall an easy listen i suppose it’s just perfectly revels in its mediocrity

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable.