Heard of Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, but aren’t sure if it’s your cup of tea? That’s exactly what I thought before I read it. What was a slow start for me turned into an absolute reading whirlwind that I couldn’t stop. So naturally, I have to write a post about it.
Today, I’m thrilled to share my first spoiler-free book review of Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. Never in my wildest dreams did I think a book based on video games would fundamentally change me as a person. Yes, it’s that good.
Plot Summary
Picture a bitter-cold day in December, set against the backdrop of Harvard University. It’s here that we meet Sam Masur as he encounters Sadie Green amidst the bustling crowds of a subway platform. What unfolds is a legendary collaboration that will catapult them to stardom. Together, they create Ichigo, a groundbreaking game where players can transcend the confines of reality and explore the depths of the human experience. But as success beckons, so too do the challenges of fame, money, and the complexities of life.
While you may read this plot summary and this – this book is only about video games – you could not be more wrong. Think of video games as the catalyst for watching one of the greatest gifts in life: to love and to be loved.
Who Are The Characters?
Sam and Sadie, our dual protagonists, are quite possibly one of the enriched storytellers I’ve ever read about. They form the basis for friendship, love, animosity, and the flaws of being a human being.
Sam’s physical disability, hidden beneath the veneer of success, serves as a poignant reminder of the pain we often choose to conceal. Meanwhile, Sadie, grapples with her own demons, navigating what it means to be a woman in a space that never fully values her contributions.
Of course, there are several beautifully written characters within Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow that pull at your heartstrings, but I’ll leave that for you to read about.
Themes Analysis
Zevin’s narrative center’s around three themes: identity, friendship, and the line between love and loss. Each of the characters are both fully created, yet deeply flawed. To me, this is why the themes really punch you in the gut and pull on your heartstrings.
At its core, this novel is a love story, but unalike anything you’ve read before. It challenges our perceptions of what the typical romantic love is and trades it for something even more special.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: My Final Thoughts
From the freezing Harvard apartment to the sunny Venice Beach, Zevin’s world building is nothing short of incredible. It’s like you’re with Sam and Sadie, then in the video games they build! This book is a world where the boundaries of reality blur and the possibilities are endless.
All of this falls to the wayside for Zevin’s deep exploration of friendship and love. Sam and Sadie’s bond serves as a beacon of hope in a world full with uncertainty. Theirs is a friendship that we all long for, but also can see it being our downfall.
Obviously, I recommend Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow to absolutely anyone and everyone. It’s not the perfect book to get you out of a reading slump, but it’s one designed to make you feel deeply.