Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin was all over my radar last year, both on official “Best of 2022” lists and in more informal recommendations from friends. I didn’t quite get to it in 2022 (partially because I was 657th on the waitlist at the library for it!), but I found it to be well worth the wait and I’m so happy to have started off 2023 on a strong note with it.
The plot of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow follows best friends (and eventually business and creative partners) Sadie and Sam over the span of 30 years, from meeting in a children’s hospital to collaborating on blockbuster video games throughout their adulthood. Through observing the creative process of these two friends (and sometimes rivals/silently seething with resentment frenemies), readers get to explore the difference between loving someone vs. being in love with someone vs. loving someone but also hating them, the tension between professional and personal success, as well as all sorts of heartache and triumphs and tribulations.
I loved this book. I don’t play many video games, but I think I’ve played just enough to appreciate the joy and utter engagement that can be found in them. When I do play a game, I play it the same way I read – up until 4am, trying to finish “just one more” chapter/level/mission. Zevin managed to capture the addictive quality of both reading AND playing video games AND getting lost in a creative endeavor in Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. She also creates lovely, fragile, brilliant characters that I rooted on and cried about and felt sad when I had to say goodbye to when I turned the last page.
If you’re on this website, there is a good chance that someone has already told you to reach Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow already. Consider this post one more recommendation to add to the pile!
