Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, 5 stars

[Holly R W]

Sometimes, reading a book and being wowed by it, is meant to be. I was going to pass on this novel, due to my dislike of gaming and despite seeing so many rave reviews here on Goodreads. However, after visiting my local library and seeing the brightly colored book stare back at me, I picked it up. And, from the first page on, I couldn't put it down.

This is the story of three young people whose lives brought them together. When the book opens, 12 year old Sadie is visiting her sister in a children's hospital. She meets Sam there, who is being treated for a mangled foot. Sadie and Sam bond through playing video games in the hospital's playroom. Several years later, they meet again as college students. Both are gifted and find their field (and life's purpose) in designing video games. Marx, Sam's room-mate, becomes friends with both of them and ultimately, handles the administrative tasks of the fledgling company that they decide to start.

The novel is filled with interesting people and situations. As close as Sadie and Sam are, they go through many turbulent times in their relationship - many misunderstandings. Marx is much more happy-go-lucky in his nature. His impulse is always to be generous with people.

I found the author's style of writing to be as original and multi-layered as the story. At one point for example, Sam can only reach through to Sadie by creating a computer game especially for her, called Pioneers. They talk through their avatars. The game itself becomes the narrative in this chapter. The reader experiences it exactly as the characters do.

A novel such as this is why I read.


Trigger Alert: Illness, including Cancer

[NancyJ]

Great review. I liked one of the author’s previous books so I’m looking forward to this. I was a little hesitant about the game aspect of it too, so your review is very helpful.

[Holly R W]

Thanks Nancy. I really don't think you have to like video games in order to like the book. I'll be interested in your thoughts, should you read it.

This is off topic of this particular book and concerns Jamie Raskin's book, "Unthinkable". I don't know if you saw my later comment on the "Scary" thread. I do think it fits the "Scary" tag. Certainly what happened on January 6th was scary, as well as what happened to his son, Tommy. I'll be interested too, in your reactions to the book.

[Jen K]

Great review Holly!! I just read this one as well but am massively behind in reviews. You really captured how this book about video games is so much more than video games. It kind of reminded me of Daisy Jones & The Six and Utopia Avenue in a making the band way.

[Holly R W]

Thanks, Jen. While I was reading it, I did think about "Daisy Jones", due to the up and down relationship that Sadie and Sam had. (At times, I found myself frustrated with both of them.)

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

[Jen K]

Holly R W wrote: "Thanks, Jen. While I was reading it, I did think about "Daisy Jones", due to the up and down relationship that Sadie and Sam had. (At times, I found myself frustrated with both of them.)

I hope yo..."

I did enjoy it!! They were so frustrating in their communication issues!! I did feel gut punched in the middle. I wasn't ready for that twist.

[Holly R W]

I know exactly what twist you're talking about, Jen. I certainly wasn't prepared for that - it did feel like a gut punch.

There are so many layers in the novel. One aspect that I liked , but didn't mention in the review, was the racial/ ethnic identities of the characters. As it turns out, the author herself is half Korean and half Jewish.

Also, for the sake of brevity, I didn't have room to write about how much I liked Sam's grandparents.

[Jen K]

Holly R W wrote: "I know exactly what twist you're talking about, Jen. I certainly wasn't prepared for that - it did feel like a gut punch.

There are so many layers in the novel. One aspect that I liked , but didn..."

I love that shared her own identity!! I appreciated all the mixed marriages and cultural experiences. The grandparents were so fabulous, both Sam's and Sadie's grandmother. It just brought in another element.

[Susan]

You've convinced me and I just got on the library waitlist. #274 for 45 copies so it's going to take a while! Thanks for reviewing.

[Holly R W]

It's a book worth waiting for, although I hope you don't have to wait so long.