Shortlisted for the 2022 Translated Young Adult Book Prize
High School Honorable Mention for the 2021 Freeman Book awards for Children and Young Adult's Literature on East and Southeast Asia
"Cleanly translated by Jocelyne Allen, the book’s charm grows with each page. With gentle wit, Mori deftly addresses serious societal issues such as suicide, bullying and marital infidelities alongside the underlying reasons for living: love, friendship, art, passion and meaningful relationships . . . The satisfying conclusion offers an important lesson for those struggling with despair: Tomorrow will always bring new hope." —Kris Kosaka, The Japan Times
"An intimate coming-of-age story that will undoubtedly resonate with readers in the US as it has with millions of others around the world." —Karla Strand, Ms. Magazine
"It’s hard to overstate what a boon that Eto Mori’s Colorful, translated by Jocelyne Allen (Counterpoint, July 20), will be for English readers. It’s a coming-of-age narrative that’s bighearted and emotional, tender and hilarious, thoughtful and bursting with light.” —Bryan Washington, Vulture
"Colorful’s success—in its native Japan and around the world, and in both its book and film incarnations—is proof enough of its ability to speak to the deepest recesses of the human soul . . . Mori and her writing stand as a powerful case study in capturing very real social issues through a fantastical slant." —Laurence Green, The Japan Society (UK)
"Entertaining . . . At times thoughtfully serious and at times laugh out loud humorous." —Todd Shimoda, Asian Review of Books
"Timeless . . . A taut and bittersweet novel that will likely resonate with readers of all ages." —Tobias Carroll, Words Without Borders
"Deceptively simple, yet unspeakably moving, Eto Mori devastates in Colorful . . . Impactful, timeless, and compulsively readable . . . Mori’s English debut is a must-read that offers a silver lining amid the darkness of uncertainty, encouraging readers to experience and understand before making snap judgements and assumptions. Colorful proves that it is okay to not be okay while simultaneously promoting a discussion about the impacts of mental illness on personal and professional well-being." —Melissa Ratcliff, Paperback Paris
"Before there was Pixar‘s Soul or Matt Haig‘s The Midnight Library there was Colorful by Eto Mori . . . Told with a lightness of touch and masses of empathy it’s not hard to see why Colorful has found a place in Japanese literary canon . . . Straddling the worlds of Young Adult and General Fiction, Colorful tackles a tough subject with heart and soul and shouldn’t be missed." —Simon Clark, The AU Review
"Powerful and moving . . . It’s honest and sincere, and it handles serious topics with gentle nuance and an occasional touch of humor . . . Jocelyne Allen’s translation of the original novel is equally fun and lively, with an especially good ear for the dialog of the teenage characters." —Kathryn Hemmann, Contemporary Japanese Literature
"A warm and compassionate tale about personal growth and second chances . . . Mori maintains balance between her serious subject matter and her light tone well: such problems seem real and urgent, though the overall mood is hopeful." —Rebecca Hussey, Foreword Reviews
"Nimbly translated . . . The novel has spawned films, anime, manga, and more. It’s also saved lives—undoubtedly storytelling’s superpower." —Booklist
"Mori's philosophically uplifting coming-of-age tale begins as a formless soul is intercepted by an angel, informed that they’ve done something that would ordinarily preclude reincarnation, and offered a second chance . . . Themes of gratitude and the acceptance—and even celebration—of human imperfections guide the soul’s journey back to itself as it learns the value of, among other things, recognizing one’s parents as complicated, flawed individuals. Mori’s novel is both life-affirming and, in Allen’s translation, quietly funny, offering readers a timeless perspective on human connections." —Publishers Weekly
"Naoki Prize winner Mori tackles a fraught topic with empathy, humor, and grace. The soul’s wry narration keeps the tone light while the simple yet powerful plot beautifully illustrates the impact that perspective can have on one’s mental health. An uplifting tale about the kaleidoscopic nature of the human soul." —Kirkus Reviews
"Mori's award-winning novel will inspire and engage teens to look at their life from a new perspective . . . A good addition to any collection." —School Library Journal
"In this welcome and timely translation, American readers meet Makoto, a modern-day Holden Caulfield who has had it with academic pressure, social rejection, and family expectations. His page-turning adventures are both caustic and tender, and entirely real, and his journey teaches that even if we’re kind of a mess, we’re still doing our best and that’s what matters. Colorful is ultimately an outstretched hand to young adults. It delivers the most craved-for reassurance: you’re okay, and you are not alone." ––Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult
02/01/2021
Gr 9 Up—Translated to English for the first time, Mori's award-winning novel will inspire and engage teens to look at their life from a new perspective. The story begins with a lost soul meeting a psychopomp shortly after its body's death. The psychopomp offers the soul an incredible gift, saying he's the winner of a lottery. Apparently, he committed a monumental transgression while alive, resulting in his expulsion from the reincarnation cycle. However, thanks to the lottery, the soul will be tested and given a chance to rejoin the reincarnation cycle. The soul is transported into a high schooler's body. After facing the possibility of an eternity of misery, the soul is absolutely delighted to have a chance to be alive again. After learning his host body was suicidal, the soul is shocked and cannot understand why the high schooler felt so depressed and overwhelmed. Although his life isn't perfect, the soul finds much to be grateful for. The soul also learns that everything he feels is connected and that the people in life make living more enjoyable. Learning to appreciate a person's faults along with their positive attributes allows the soul to appreciate how colorful life is. VERDICT A good addition to any collection, especially one where translations are popular.—Melanie Leivers, Burnsville, MN
2021-05-05
God offers a condemned spirit a new lease on life.
In Japanese author Mori’s U.S. debut, a dead soul has forgotten his mortal existence and is drifting toward oblivion when an angel named Prapura appears in his path. Though the soul committed a “grave error” during his time on Earth that would normally trigger his removal from the cycle of rebirth, Prapura’s boss has randomly selected him for a do-over. For the next year, the soul will inhabit the body of Makoto Kobayashi—a 14-year-old who just died of an intentional overdose. (Prapura will provide information and assistance when needed, provided he’s in the mood.) If the soul makes sufficient progress, he’ll regain his own memories, and if he's then able to acknowledge the enormity of his mistake, he’ll vacate Makoto and move on with a clean slate. At first, the newly resurrected Makoto falls into the same dark rut as his predecessor: His grades are terrible, he has no friends, and he regards his family with disdain. But when Makoto’s parents and older brother open up to him about their own struggles and admit how profoundly his suicide attempt affected them, his conception of the world begins to change. Naoki Prize winner Mori tackles a fraught topic with empathy, humor, and grace. The soul’s wry narration keeps the tone light while the simple yet powerful plot beautifully illustrates the impact that perspective can have on one’s mental health.
An uplifting tale about the kaleidoscopic nature of the human soul.
