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A review by paz_books
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
5.0
I went into this one completely blind and am so glad I did, but am also slightly traumatised.
'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' really reminded me of 'A Little Life' (by Hanya Yanagihara) if it was less heartbreaking and had improved pretentious energy- and that is not at all a criticism. (I want to clarify that this book is still heartbreaking, and pretentious is not being used in a negative way or towards the author, but moreso in terms of writing style and character personalities.) These books have entirely different plots and entirely different characters but the feel of the read is what makes them similar. They both have this realism and honesty to them that makes you feel so connected to the characters while being simultaneously bombarded with their flaws, faults, and questionable actions. I've even ended up in full blown debates about which character is the most flawed compared to the others- to no success as it is honestly so difficult to quantify. At the end of the day they are all just young people making mistakes and being selfish.
I also never thought this kind of plot would have me as engrossed as it did; I have never been so invested in the technicalities of making/marketing video games haha. I think that the authors ability to make me care so much about this specific/niche plot, and the characters moving it forward, is such a point of boast.
Equally, there is a scene that (I don't want to describe too much in fear of spoilers, but) takes place within a video game, and this was also so interesting to read as it isn't something I think I have ever read before, especially in that kind of style.
All in all, I really don't want to say too much about this one as I believe going in blindly added a lot to my experience, and I hope that others start this way too.
Its main highlight for me was definitely the complexity of the characters and the way you find yourself so invested yet frustrated by them. Second to this would be the important/challenging themes covered, the overall vibes, the writing style, etc.
5/5
'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' really reminded me of 'A Little Life' (by Hanya Yanagihara) if it was less heartbreaking and had improved pretentious energy- and that is not at all a criticism. (I want to clarify that this book is still heartbreaking, and pretentious is not being used in a negative way or towards the author, but moreso in terms of writing style and character personalities.) These books have entirely different plots and entirely different characters but the feel of the read is what makes them similar. They both have this realism and honesty to them that makes you feel so connected to the characters while being simultaneously bombarded with their flaws, faults, and questionable actions. I've even ended up in full blown debates about which character is the most flawed compared to the others- to no success as it is honestly so difficult to quantify. At the end of the day they are all just young people making mistakes and being selfish.
I also never thought this kind of plot would have me as engrossed as it did; I have never been so invested in the technicalities of making/marketing video games haha. I think that the authors ability to make me care so much about this specific/niche plot, and the characters moving it forward, is such a point of boast.
Equally, there is a scene that (I don't want to describe too much in fear of spoilers, but) takes place within a video game, and this was also so interesting to read as it isn't something I think I have ever read before, especially in that kind of style.
All in all, I really don't want to say too much about this one as I believe going in blindly added a lot to my experience, and I hope that others start this way too.
Its main highlight for me was definitely the complexity of the characters and the way you find yourself so invested yet frustrated by them. Second to this would be the important/challenging themes covered, the overall vibes, the writing style, etc.
5/5