A review by savvylit
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a beautiful novel about love, friendship, and the connective power of video games. From the very beginning, video games are the glue of Sam & Sadie's friendship. As their lives progress and their relationship often becomes strained, video games remain the one thing that always brings the two of them back together.
Though I'm not a huge gamer myself, I can fondly recall portions of my life where video games helped me bridge my shyness or acted as a much-needed escape. Zevin manages to capture those sorts of oft-unacknowledged feelings throughout the pages of this novel. Even more specifically, Zevin explores the incredible equalizing power of video games. This is not a huge spoiler (because it's revealed very early on), but Sam has a disability that makes it difficult for him to walk. In video games, though, Sam can not only walk without pain but he can run - and even fly!
Zevin also absolutely excels at characterization. Sam, Sadie, and Marx are some of the most believable characters I've ever encountered in fiction. After finishing this novel, I felt like I missed them. And honestly, that's a rare feeling for me.
Lastly, there are so many poignant and heartbreaking examinations of loss and grief in Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. While this book is a celebration of chosen families, it is also a beautiful examination of the way loss can echo throughout our lives. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow made me glad to be a human and I'm grateful for that.
Though I'm not a huge gamer myself, I can fondly recall portions of my life where video games helped me bridge my shyness or acted as a much-needed escape. Zevin manages to capture those sorts of oft-unacknowledged feelings throughout the pages of this novel. Even more specifically, Zevin explores the incredible equalizing power of video games. This is not a huge spoiler (because it's revealed very early on), but Sam has a disability that makes it difficult for him to walk. In video games, though, Sam can not only walk without pain but he can run - and even fly!
Zevin also absolutely excels at characterization. Sam, Sadie, and Marx are some of the most believable characters I've ever encountered in fiction. After finishing this novel, I felt like I missed them. And honestly, that's a rare feeling for me.
Lastly, there are so many poignant and heartbreaking examinations of loss and grief in Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. While this book is a celebration of chosen families, it is also a beautiful examination of the way loss can echo throughout our lives. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow made me glad to be a human and I'm grateful for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Mass/school shootings, Suicide, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Eating disorder