The Complex, by Scott Evans, tells the story of Robby Owens, a thirteen-year-old boy who, after his well-to-do parents’ divorce, moves with his mother from their upscale neighborhood near Pittsburgh to a small town in northern California. As his mother descends into alcoholism and depression, Robby searches for love and affirmation, but he encounters merciless ridicule and rejection at his new Catholic school, and humiliation in his first sexual encounter with an older girl. These experiences send him into a complicated relationship with Heather Price, a lovely, young single mother who lives with her six-year-old daughter Emily in the same apartment complex. As Robby’s feelings for Heather grow, he learns about her secret past, and the choices they make have consequences that alter the lives of everyone around them. The Complex reveals a powerful coming-of-age story with both humor and honest emotion, taking readers on a journey reminiscent of The Summer of ’42 and Catcher in the Rye.
Reader Reviews
Exquisitely well written, The Complex is a painful read. It immerses you in the angst and agony of a boy torn away from all that is familiar, painfully moving toward adulthood while the sole parent he retains slides down the slope of addiction, unable to support his development. The protagonist's religious conditioning conflicts with his natural impulses, adding immeasurably to his misery and the intense conflict of this book. You should read this to make your mind stronger, and because Professor Evans' imagery will add to the richness of your memories. First Folio: A Literary MysteryTragic FlawsGreen SeasonsBig Hills
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