A review by jillgoober
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I chose this book to start 2023 because of all of the good things I was hearing about it. All of those good reviews were correct. This was a beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes funny story about a years-long friendship.
This story is certainly more character-driven than plot-driven, so if that's not your thing, you may not love this book as much as I did. I found the two main characters, Sadie and Sam, incredibly intriguing. They are both deeply flawed and, in my opinion, highly relatable (especially Sadie, in my own case). Sadie is stubborn, a perfectionist, and profoundly insecure. These traits both help and hurt her when both creating video games and maintaining her friendship with Sam. Sam, on the other hand, is more self-centered, a little oblivious, and also profoundly insecure. There are times when he just can't comprehend why another person (read: Sadie) may be acting a certain way. Despite their similar interests, Sadie and Sam's personalities often clash, creating issues for their friendship throughout the novel.
Despite not being a huge video game person, I still enjoyed the points in this book where gaming was discussed in depth. If you are similar to me in this way, you would probably still enjoy this book and if you ARE a gamer, you will probably enjoy it all the more.
My favorite little tidbits of this book were when literature, Shakespeare, or theatre were mentioned (of course). I loved the concept that, in order to make a good video game with a good story, you needed to have some literary background. I also really want to play Sadie's game Master of the Revels, especially the expansion version involving Macbeth. I am truly pissed that it's not a real game!!
Without giving away spoilers, this book is often sad, dark, and heartbreaking. I definitely teared up a few times. However, I think the vast majority of the reading (and gaming) community would appreciate this novel. Highly recommend.
This story is certainly more character-driven than plot-driven, so if that's not your thing, you may not love this book as much as I did. I found the two main characters, Sadie and Sam, incredibly intriguing. They are both deeply flawed and, in my opinion, highly relatable (especially Sadie, in my own case). Sadie is stubborn, a perfectionist, and profoundly insecure. These traits both help and hurt her when both creating video games and maintaining her friendship with Sam. Sam, on the other hand, is more self-centered, a little oblivious, and also profoundly insecure. There are times when he just can't comprehend why another person (read: Sadie) may be acting a certain way. Despite their similar interests, Sadie and Sam's personalities often clash, creating issues for their friendship throughout the novel.
Despite not being a huge video game person, I still enjoyed the points in this book where gaming was discussed in depth. If you are similar to me in this way, you would probably still enjoy this book and if you ARE a gamer, you will probably enjoy it all the more.
My favorite little tidbits of this book were when literature, Shakespeare, or theatre were mentioned (of course). I loved the concept that, in order to make a good video game with a good story, you needed to have some literary background. I also really want to play Sadie's game Master of the Revels, especially the expansion version involving Macbeth. I am truly pissed that it's not a real game!!
Without giving away spoilers, this book is often sad, dark, and heartbreaking. I definitely teared up a few times. However, I think the vast majority of the reading (and gaming) community would appreciate this novel. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Injury/injury detail, Gun violence, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Minor: Terminal illness and Abortion