A review by careinthelibrary
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What I enjoyed so much about this novel was the detailed descriptions of video game design. The conceptualization, the story building, the coding and development, the marketing, etc. That was so fascinating as a video game lover.
Reading and getting all these easter egg references to games we know and love was so cool. The references of MGS, Harvest Moon, etc were exciting to come across and hear what Gabrielle Zevin/her characters thought of them. This left me wanting the fictional games to play for myself.
Some of these chapters were so viscerally AMAZING. (spoiler free) - The portions with Sam's mother and their gruesome and tragic discovery on the sidewalk, the thrilling and also tragic scene with Marx at the office, these scenes are so memorable and were written like perfect jewels of narrative.
Some of the toxic friendship and toxic romance stuff wasn't my cuppa but I can see why others would like it.
All in all, there were aspects that I enjoyed more and some less, but I did think this was engrossing, deep, complex, and fun. I recommend especially for gamers!
Reading and getting all these easter egg references to games we know and love was so cool. The references of MGS, Harvest Moon, etc were exciting to come across and hear what Gabrielle Zevin/her characters thought of them. This left me wanting the fictional games to play for myself.
Some of these chapters were so viscerally AMAZING. (spoiler free) - The portions with Sam's mother and their gruesome and tragic discovery on the sidewalk, the thrilling and also tragic scene with Marx at the office, these scenes are so memorable and were written like perfect jewels of narrative.
Some of the toxic friendship and toxic romance stuff wasn't my cuppa but I can see why others would like it.
All in all, there were aspects that I enjoyed more and some less, but I did think this was engrossing, deep, complex, and fun. I recommend especially for gamers!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Death, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Sexual content, Gun violence, Medical content, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Antisemitism, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Blood, Car accident, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Genocide