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A review by megan_jessop
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
5.0
Imagine if Wes Anderson tried his hand at writing a Literary Fiction novel about video games… Well, that’s pretty much what you get with this book (minus the estranged/absent fathers?)... at least in the tone of the writing. Which is also probably why I loved it.
It is clear that Zevin knows her stuff about writing and video games and employs it all beautifully in this book. There’s lots of sarcasm and irony, lots of gamer references, and even some poking fun at society. The novel has several old-school video game references that give you a good dose of nostalgia for “elder millennials” who grew up playing games like Oregon Trail and Donkey Kong, as well as some newer favorites like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing so it’s sure to capture the hearts of those players. Any book that is able to do that while pulling in literary references like Emily Dickenson and Shakespeare, layered with references to art and other cultures, and some multimedia knowledge through the characters and plot, is a book that deserves some respect. At least in my opinion.
This book was funny and heartfelt. It made me cry at some moments and angry at others. It explores themes of art, work, play, disability, identity, grief, love, friendship, and culture in a masterful way.
I think it is probably summed up best by saying it is a book about lovers but not necessarily in the way you think. Mostly it’s a book about friends… those rare and treasured friendships that last a lifetime through the ebbs and flows, through betrayal and loss and heartache but somehow still find their way back to one another. It's a book about what it means to be among your people and the deep connection that is shared when artists and collaborators come together in an attempt to make something worthwhile. I think anyone who calls themself an artist in any way could appreciate this book. If the amount of stuff that I have to say about this book is any indication, it’s definitely one of the best that I have read this year—and I’ve read a lot!!
It is clear that Zevin knows her stuff about writing and video games and employs it all beautifully in this book. There’s lots of sarcasm and irony, lots of gamer references, and even some poking fun at society. The novel has several old-school video game references that give you a good dose of nostalgia for “elder millennials” who grew up playing games like Oregon Trail and Donkey Kong, as well as some newer favorites like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing so it’s sure to capture the hearts of those players. Any book that is able to do that while pulling in literary references like Emily Dickenson and Shakespeare, layered with references to art and other cultures, and some multimedia knowledge through the characters and plot, is a book that deserves some respect. At least in my opinion.
This book was funny and heartfelt. It made me cry at some moments and angry at others. It explores themes of art, work, play, disability, identity, grief, love, friendship, and culture in a masterful way.
I think it is probably summed up best by saying it is a book about lovers but not necessarily in the way you think. Mostly it’s a book about friends… those rare and treasured friendships that last a lifetime through the ebbs and flows, through betrayal and loss and heartache but somehow still find their way back to one another. It's a book about what it means to be among your people and the deep connection that is shared when artists and collaborators come together in an attempt to make something worthwhile. I think anyone who calls themself an artist in any way could appreciate this book. If the amount of stuff that I have to say about this book is any indication, it’s definitely one of the best that I have read this year—and I’ve read a lot!!