UK Book Club discussion
This topic is about
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Book Discussions/Buddy Reads
>
Jan 2024 - Group Read: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
Mod
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiz0w...
Might be worth checking out for those who like audiobooks.
I haven’t got the book but I’ve started listening to it on Spotify
I read it last year and the year before, so my advice to first-time readers is to pay attention to recurring imagery!
Mod
At the moment, it's reminding me a little of Meg Wolitzer's 'The Interestings' - which follows a group of talented friends who first meet at a summer camp for 'gifted' teens. That book's all about the fragile promise of youth and the weight of expectations. I wonder where this one will go...
Mod
Mod
Dov is one of those bright guys who think their intelligence entitles them to locate and exploit other people’s vulnerabilities. They gain a sense of power by keeping others continually off balance or cowed. Hateful.
Mod
Mod
Question of technique: What do people think about the fact that little is explained at the start? For instance, we know early on that Sam has been badly injured in some way but we don’t know the circumstances. Do people find that having an unrevealed mystery like that draws you into the story, or does it frustrate you?
Mod
Plus it's like you're getting to know the characters for real: When you meet someone, they don't tell you their story completely, right away. Instead you share past experiences in snippets, over time, and not necessarily in the order they happened!
I like it too, when it’s well done, as I believe it is here. It’s like a complex weaving.
Mod
Liz wrote: "I'm over halfway through and heading into spoiler territory. How's everyone else doing?"I've finished it and I am sooooo looking forward to discussing this book, there is a lot to discuss!
Mod
Mod
Cathy wrote: "Liz wrote: "I'm over halfway through and heading into spoiler territory. How's everyone else doing?"I've finished it and I am sooooo looking forward to discussing this book, there is a lot to dis..."
It’s an unusually rich read, isn’t it?
Mod
I finished this last night and I was really surprised how much I enjoyed it (as a non gamer!). the character's were really well developed and I wanted to know more about literally all of them (even the ones I didn't particularly like!). beautifully written too, though I will admit a couple of times I felt I needed to get my dictionary out! can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts!
Speaking of her word choices, there’s a lovely little interview with her from a Merriam-Webster podcast (who knew there was a Merriam-Webster podcast?): https://www.merriam-webster.com/video.... It gave me a whole different feeling about a scene I was too busy being mad about to appreciate—(view spoiler)I thought the book had a lot of humanity and showed real people as they really are. Odd touches (like the recurring Ann Lees) underlined our commonalities and urged mutual understanding.
I completely agree, Abigail, this booked seemed very real in the character relationships and it covered a lot of social themes, but I didn't find this to be done in a preachy way at all. it was almost a flowy (terrible description!) acknowledgement of the prejudices, abuse, grief etc experienced but not in a self indulgent way, if that makes sense? I'm shocked with some of the reviews I've read (though I love reading different opinions) wondering what the point of the book is, but does there need to be a point?! isn't it about life and interpersonal relationships? and that's enough, just to go be on that journey?sorry I hope this isn't borderline spoilers, I'm on the app and don't have the ability to hide spoilers so am just trying to be vague!
I've not been one for podcasts but this sounds interesting!
I’m not a podcaster either but I loved it. It’s really a video interview, not strictly speaking a podcast, which I think of as audio only. And I totally get what you’re saying. I think the author in a really modest way achieved something extraordinary. Excellent choice for starting group reads!
I’ve just finished the bookI gave it 4 ⭐️ looking forward to sharing thoughts
Mod
I know what you mean - there were a few quite obscure words. Luckily I was reading on Kindle, so it was easy to look them up. Despite this I thought the book was incredibly readable - the pages turned very easily.
Mod
Will have to check this out!
Mod
Totally agree with you, Amanda. I feel the book accurately portrays the messiness of life and relationships, and the fact that in life, we never get a resolution tidied neatly with a bow. And yet she still provides (to me anyway) a satisfying ending to the book.
I have to say my younger self might have thrown it to one side in irritation - it's taken me a while to appreciate books with more character and less plot! And to be sympathetic to characters who make the 'wrong' decisions...
Mod
This is what time travel is. It’s looking at a person, and seeing them in the present and the past, concurrently. And that mode of transport only worked with those one had known a significant time.
And as a designer this one appealed to me:
There is a time for any fledgling artist where one’s taste exceeds one’s abilities. The only way to get through this period is to make things anyway.
Mod
So, do you think Marx is a NPG? (Non Player Character) or does he equal Sam and Sadie as a key player in the story?
At the beginning, I was worried that he might turn out to be another entitled **** (like Dov), but Marx was lovely - providing the balance in a chaotic 3-way relationship. (view spoiler)
The other side characters that I loved were Sam's grandparents: Dong & Bong. Believable, well constructed characters are definitely one of the key strengths of this book (imho).
ANOTHER SPOILERInteresting question about Marx, but I’m not sure the analogy entirely holds. Despite (view spoiler) and his non-central role in the more material sense, he was a tremendous influence on everyone else. In a certain way he was the prime mover, the force making everything else go.
Nice to highlight Dong and Bong! One of the things I loved about the book was its grace toward human absurdity. Their names invite the reader to laugh at them but their characters defy ridicule. The same could be said of Sam, and occasionally Sadie. Sadie’s grandmother was another great character. Despite the upheavals of their childhoods, both Sam and Sadie had these grounding figures helping them grow up.
I don't agree that Marx was an NPG. He did feel like almost a bridge between Sadie and Sam but he's role in their work was so key, though this probably didn't come out until later on (I'm on my phone and can't do the fancy spoiler thing!). I think when Sam had to take the reigns Marx provided a valuable role model for him. I was about to say that maybe he wasn't as intricate as the main characters but actually I don't agree with myself, I just think there are always restrictions in writing so we couldn't get into his story as deeply. I felt this with sadie's grandmother and sister too, but differently as maybe Marx wasn't as complex or maybe because what I knew about Marx was enough. I was also worried that Marx was just going to be an entitled A**hole, but so relieved he wasn't and was just a lovely spirit.
*Spoilers* I can say it here, Marx was my favourite character in this book, I wanted to know him. The other two seemed a bit bland and selfish which is a shame really, I was concerned that there was a bit of a gamer stereotype being presented here but then again the other game designers seemed to have more character and empathy. A little disappointed in the book I'm afraid, sorry, gender ideology not my thing!
Mod
I was definitely frustrated with Sam and Sadie at many points during the book, as they made negative assumptions about each other's behaviour. Although I feel life is unfortunately peppered with such misunderstandings, so I could empathise with their situations.
I believe their professional relationship would never have got off the ground without Marx - they, being the 'creatives', needed a do-er to make it all happen in the real world! Underlying this, Marx was able to support them both so much on a personal level.
Totally agree, different strokes different folks…and I’m the one that suggested the book! Was a little frustrated I guess as the premise had a lot of potential, I really like the beginning of the book and the relationship between the two leads, they just didn’t seem to ‘grow up’, gain life experience, we would be in one ‘scene’ and read about a falling out and then skip a couple of years to more angst as if the book was paused in between, or AFK my boys would tell me it’s called 🤣 do hope others liked it though 🤞
I’m not quite sure if I enjoyed this book or not! I was very much invested up to ‘Ichigo’. I was looking forward to the development of the characters - their renewed friendship and where it would take them but… it just didn’t go anywhere.It became repetitive, the characters became unlikeable without any growth and the book felt never ending and I found myself disengaging (which for me also made some of the writing a little frustrating- enough for me to skip some parts.)
A few simple guidelines:
1. Anyone can read the book and join in the discussion.
2. This month's group read will continue until 22nd Feb.
3. Nominations for the next group read (22nd Feb-22nd March) will be accepted on the thread 'Monthly Group Reads for 2024.
4. The Poll will then be posted on 12th February to choose our next book from those nominations.
5. SPOILERS, SPOILERS, SPOILERS! If you want to discuss aspects of the book that might contain spoilers, please make sure you indicate it, right at the start of your post (in caps as shown).
If you are on the web version of GR (rather than the mobile app) you can create a nifty hide/view spoiler:
All you have to do is type the word spoiler in between the <> symbols. Everything you type after that will be hidden when posted. However, when you are ready to end your spoiler, you must then type /spoiler in between the <> symbols. The completed phrase/paragraph will appear in the thread like this: (view spoiler)[spoilertastic plot point written here (hide spoiler)]. Click on it to reveal the spoiler. Ignore it to avoid the spoiler.
If you're still not sure, click on the green (some html is ok) link to the top right of the comment window, next to add book/author, and you will see how to type your spoiler.
6. Finally, please be respectful of other people's opinions - pretty obvious I hope!
Happy Reading!