Wow! This book was HOT. A steamy and dazzling meditation on art, destruction, and survival in the McCarthy era and beyond, The Future is Color is prime example of queer historical fiction done right: beautifully rendered with an eye bent toward the present. Embedded in this history is a moving story of a gay man as he navigates queer life through the 1940-50s and on.

This novel really gave me a perspective on how queer people might have moved through the violence of this period with police raids, whistleblowers, etc. However, it also shows how they could have thrived within the secrecy of the margins; hookups, falling in and out of love, heartbreak, losing people - living full and vivid lives in all their fear and complexity. Patrick Nathan brings these three-dimensional characters to the page in stunning detail, most notably the protagonist George and Madeleine, the wealthy actress who lures him into her sphere of parties and fast living. This made the novel feel a true portrayal of queer lives and stories that were silenced by the prejudice of the era.

Nathan's poetic and cinematic prose also glides the reader effortlessly through the narrative. The way he captures the tone and mood of LA noir - in all its sun, heat and dread, black and white on the silver screen - was pitch perfect and really impressive. If you've been looking for more queer historical fiction I have, this will be for you. Authors Patrick Nathan are making sure the lit gays are being fed (lol).20 s endrju272 60

I'm not exactly sure what the novel is about, but that's not a bad thing, especially in this case. Patrick Nathan, with George, a Hungarian immigrant, covers the period from a decade before World War II to the end of the 1980s, and it is an interesting and dense, almost breathless narrative about the changing tides of being a gay man in the West. The themes are many: Hollywood gothic, McCarthyism and communist paranoia, 1950s sci-fi, the bomb, drugs, neo-avant-garde art, cruising, systemic homophobia and its consequences. If nothing else, it reminded me how long the 20th century was.8 s Zoee.Net8420 1 follower

and the world goes on and on and on and on and on and on and all these things can happen to you but the world never stops

4 s Tony Smith45

"I thought, if this was what life was when you got older, if there were memories waiting for you all over the world-all kinds of friends hidden in objects or pictures of places-I thought, this can't really be so bad, can it?"

I really enjoyed reading this one. Historical Fiction is not my typical genre that I go for, but I do love a good gay literature so that's how this title piqued my interest. George/György is a beyond fascinating character that kept me interested throughout the entire read. I would have blown through this faster if I didn't get so sick about 70% through that I wasn't even reading, just sleeping for multiple days... anyway, I recommended this title to my boyfriend because it is right up his alley and I also recommended it for purchase at my library. This was my first time reading a Patrick Nathan title and now I'm curious about his other books! If you historical fiction or gay literature, this one is for you.

Thank you to Counterpoint Press for providing me with a digital arc via NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. arc netgalley1 IlanaAuthor 4 books217

I can't recommend Patrick Nathan's newest book highly enough - it's a marvel and a wonder, its language completely swept me away, and its characters are so wonderfully wrought. There is so much here: pleasure, politics, people history rarely chronicles, and a reminder that every generation has thought that the world was ending one way or another--and yet we keep on living, despite it all. 1 Camille Landon37

Woooah.

There were parts that were overwritten and parts that were under and the whole narrative structure was quite loose on purpose but it was also gorgeous?? This made me think about the quote “the urge to destroy is also a creative urge”. Made me think a lot about the tension between youth, experience, impending doom, etc. really special and beautiful exploration of the desire to destroy and be destroyed, especially if you live in the margins. Idk it’s hard to piece my thoughts together on this one but I think I d it!1 Starla15 1 follower

This book is a gripping depiction of what one's otherness cost during a time when being anything "atypical" in the U.S. was particularly fraught. In the midst of the Lavender and Second Red Scare, George's survival depends on his ability to hide his identities as a gay man and Hungarian immigrant. Nathan's understanding of George's circumstances and character allows us readers to experience very specific types of love, loss and loneliness.

At first, I did find the choice of narrator to be a bit too removed, which muddled the initial story for me. However, it ended up being a perfect medium in which to tie parallels from Georges life in the 1950's to our present. Ultimately, this was a beautifully written, deeply emotional story that goes far beyond the synopsis on it's back cover. Both a comforting and terrifying reminder that the world keeps ending and it keeps going on.

Thank you to Counterpoint Press for providing an advance readers copy.arcs2 s Kera’s Always Reading1,678 65

This was such a raw read! Mixing life and politics in a way that I found incredibly interesting, we get a unique insight into the McCarthy era LA in the 50s.

We mostly follow George, a Hungarian man in the US, running from fear and hatred, only to find a new kind here. Enmeshed in a bright world of art, luxury and debauchery, George is maneuvering through the political climate as a gay, Jewish immigrant.

The stakes become increasingly higher and the impending collapse of George’s world is encroaching… and I couldn’t look away.

This combines the nuance of the writing and graphic and gratuitous sex, which I thought was done so well. This was a really great read, and such a fast one to get through. Once I started I couldn’t stop. Each page was a new intrigue! Sarah126 99

Set amidst Hollywood, NYC, and Las Vegas in the 1950s in a post-war, anti-gay and communism era, the Future Was Colour is a fascinatingly gripping queer, historical fiction. We follow George, a young Hungarian immigrant and movie studio writer, and the decadent, desire-hungry, artistic people around him. This story is incredibly layered and an intricate composite that mirrors the decadence of the Great Gatsby and Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with the nuance and complexity of post-war political fears. It builds a crescendo of suspense and fear, concluding brilliantly. Excellently written.
2024 arcs-gifted historical-fic ...more Ruby318

"The Future Was Color" is a gorgeously written sensual and dark novel set in 1950s Hollywood. Readers who are interested in historical fiction during the McCarthy era and lavender scare that covers the beauty and depravity of Los Angles will enjoy. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

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netgalleyarcs John TreatAuthor 16 books40

Among the dismal tidal wave of silly and/or hackneyed “queer” (that word itself an invitation not to take what it’s attached to as important) novels nowadays, this one stands out as serious, insightful, and even prophetic. That such a young writer pulled this historical novel off is a testament to his talent.2 s takeeveryshot 339 1 followerRead

i think placing the flashback interlude where it is was a mistake. it completely messed with the pacing and nearly took me out of the book completely. i think the interlude was GOOD it just should've happened at a different point david31

obtained an arc for this! writing is truly an art form that only a few truly have mastered. i think patrick nathan is one of those few (at least based on this novel). it’s beautifully written — concise and profound2024 favs q miranda janisse43 86

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