TOMORROW AND TOMORROW AND TOMORROW

by Gabrielle Zevin

I was intrigued and a bit skeptical when people kept reporting that they loved Gabrielle Zevin’s new novel about the world of video games and gamers.  Maybe that’s why I thought I should start by reading her breakthrough novel, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, recommended years ago by my friend Pam.  I absolutely love that book and can recommend it highly to you L & L readers. After finishing Fikry, I decided to take the plunge into Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. And I want to enthusiastically endorse this book, as well.

In Tomorrow, Zevin has created such a multi-faceted, beautifully developed story, that you will enjoy it on many levels. The book almost defies description in such a short review as this.  But I’m going to try. The central characters, Sam and Sadie, meet in a hospital where Sam is recovering from a serious car accident and Sadie is visiting her sister who has cancer.  After a summer where the two become friends playing video games with each other, each goes his own way.  They reconnect ten years later in a subway station in Boston, as she’s hurrying off to Harvard and he to MIT.  As she leaves that chance meeting, Sadie gives Sam a video game that she has created, in the hope that he’ll give her input on possible improvements.  What develops from there is a life-long relationship, as entrepreneurs, business partners and friends so close that they are like soul mates.  But theirs is a complicated relationship, and not at all a conventional love story.

I can honestly say that Zevin consistently surprised me as she developed the characters of Sadie and Sam.  And that is part of what makes the book so compelling.  It is unpredictable and yet wholly believable. Sam and Sadie are wildly successful in business, and yet each of them must deal with demons in their lives, some of them real and others manufactured.  Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow will suck you in and keep you reading late into the night.  The novel is a sheer joy to read. (Liz)

A SECOND HELPING

You don't need my hype to know that this book is good. It was on practically everyone's favorites list last year. But I couldn't resist adding my two cents and say, "Don't miss this book!" The interpersonal story of love and friendship is endearing and original, and the discussion of making art and how to sell that art felt deeply true and refreshingly nuanced. I devoured this book, and I think you will too. (Lily)