あらすじ
There are two sides to every story. When you're still in the closet, sometimes there are three. Tim Wyman hoped moving to Texas would mean a new beginning, but he soon finds himself falling into the same old patterns. Until he meets recklessly brave Benjamin Bentley, who brings love and compassion to his world. Certain that society won't understand what he and Ben have together, Tim is determined to protect their relationship, even if it means twisting the truth. Buried beneath his own deceptions, Tim must claw his way to the surface in the hopes of learning to fly. Something Like Winter retells the story of Something Like Summer from Tim's perspective, offering previously unrevealed moments and personal journeys as he strives to become worthy of Ben's love. Each Something Like... book follows a different LGBTQ character on their quest for love. Central to the plot is the troubled relationship between Ben and Tim, high school sweethearts who continue to meet at different stages of their lives, their chemistry changing with each encounter. Surrounding them are a wealth of friends and enemies, each with their own story, resulting in an immersive universe filled with optimism and hope, heartbreak and healing. While the series doesn't shy away from sexual content, it also focuses deeply on emotion, resulting in an experience that will stay with you long after the final page is turned. The Something Like... series: 01: Something Like Summer 02: Something Like Autumn 03: Something Like Winter 04: Something Like Spring 05: Something Like Lightning 06: Something Like Thunder 07: Something Like Stories - Volume One 08: Something Like Hail 09: Something Like Rain 10: Something Like Stories - Volume Two 11: Something Like Forever 12: Something Like Stories - Volume Three
作品考察・見どころ
本作は、前作の物語をティムの視点から再構築した、極めて文学的な鏡の物語です。クローゼットの中で嘘を重ねるしかなかった彼の葛藤は、真実をさらけ出す恐怖と戦う魂の叫びとして響きます。視点が変わることで物語の色彩が一変する、重層的な人間ドラマの深みこそが本作の真髄です。 数十年の歳月をかけ、未熟な少年が挫折を経て愛にふさわしい男へと成長する過程は圧巻です。ジェイ・ベルは孤独と再生への渇望を情熱的に描き出します。二人の関係の変容は、愛とは単なる情熱ではなく、長い時間をかけて育まれる許しのプロセスであることを、鮮烈に教えてくれるでしょう。
