Synopsis
Set in contemporary suburban Japan, Our Colors is the story of Sora Itoda: a sixteen-year-old aspiring painter who experiences his world in synesthetic hues of blues and reds, governed by the emotional turbulence of being a teenager. He wants to live honestly as a young gay man in high school, but that is still not acceptable in Japanese society. His best friend and childhood confidant is Nao, a young woman whom everyone thinks is (or should be) his girlfriend; and it would be the easiest thing to play along—she knows he is gay but knows, too, how hard it is to live one’s truth in their situation.
Sora’s world changes forever when he meets Mr. Amamiya, a middle-aged gentleman who is the owner and proprietor of a local coffee shop, and who is completely, unapologetically out as a gay man. A mentorship and friendship ensues, as Sora comes out to him and agrees to paint a mural in the shop, and Mr. Amamiya counsels him (platonically) about how to deal with who he is. But it won’t be easy. Mr. Amamiya paid a high price for his freedom of identity, and when a figure from his past suddenly appears, it becomes a prime example of just how complicated life can be.
From: Penguin Random House
Notes on This Title
The main character of this title is a gay Japanese teenage boy. A middle-aged gay Japanese man is a major supporting character.
Awards
None.
Reviews
“It’s a poignant story that should delight devotees of queer comics, with nice crossover appeal for YA readers.” (Source: Publishers Weekly)
“There’s a bit of drama to keep things interesting, but this book feels very grounded. Mr. Amamiya is the type of mentor every teen could benefit from.” (Source: School Library Journal, June 2022)
Interviews
None.