Life, love and video games.
A fantastic investigation into the power of stories, the interconnected lives of friends and the togetherness of video games.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is a beautifully crafted novel that explores the intricacies of friendship, creativity, love, and the passage of time, all through the lens of the world of video game development. It’s a poignant, layered story about the people we meet, the games we play, and the ways we shape our lives around them.

The novel follows Sam Masur and Sadie Green, two childhood friends who reconnect later in life to create a successful video game together. Their story spans decades, navigating the ups and downs of their personal and professional lives. Through their collaboration on a groundbreaking game, the novel explores not only the immersive world of video games but also the complexities of relationships, particularly the ones that are built on shared creativity, ambition, and sometimes, unspoken emotional burdens.

Zevin’s writing is tender and rich, with a strong sense of atmosphere that captures the intense passion and deep frustrations that come with artistic collaboration. The narrative alternates between different perspectives and timelines, weaving a tale that’s reflective and often introspective. It’s a meditation on time itself—how we are shaped by the past, how we face the future, and the moments of connection that define us.

What stands out most about Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is how Zevin manages to create a novel that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. The themes of love, loss, and the way we grapple with our identity are ever-present, but they are explored through the medium of video games in such a unique and captivating way. Video games, as a form of art, are central to the story, but they also serve as a metaphor for the characters’ own lives—how they navigate their goals, their failures, and their need for connection.

The character development is rich and compelling. Sam, Sadie, and their third collaborator, Marx, are complex and imperfect, and their growth over the course of the novel feels both satisfying and heart-wrenching. The book captures the beauty of creative partnerships—the moments of exhilaration and the silent betrayals—and examines how art can both heal and hurt.

That said, the novel’s structure can feel somewhat fragmented at times, jumping across different periods and perspectives. This may challenge some readers who prefer a more linear or traditional narrative. However, for those willing to embrace the unconventional storytelling, it becomes part of the book’s charm, adding layers to the exploration of time and memory.

Overall, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is an evocative and introspective novel that is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever had a passion for creativity, art, or relationships. Gabrielle Zevin has created a powerful work that beautifully examines how we live, create, and connect with others. It’s a story that lingers long after the final page, offering a bittersweet and hopeful reflection on life’s journey.

Just don't understand the hype around this one. Plot wasn't interesting and couldn't connect to any of the characters. Felt sad at one pivotal moment but definitely didn't hit as hard as it should have (if i had cared about the characters). Currently convincing my housemate to read this so I can see if someone understands why I didn't enjoy it.

Holy moly this quickly became one of my favorite books of the last decade! I cannot praise it enough.

If you’ve read the publisher’s summary, you know it’s a story about video games. Spanning three decades, it focuses on the friendship of Sadie and Sam, from their chance encounter in a hospital as children, to college, then adulthood. If you are not interested in video games, please, please do not let that deter you. Messy relationships are at the heart of this story, and the characters are incredibly compelling. (SAM! SADIE! MARX!) Fellow GenXers will feel warm and nostalgic during the early scenes, as they capture the rise of video game and computer culture well. When I wasn’t reading, I found myself missing it and now that I’m finished, I’m sad it’s over.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is a famous line from Macbeth (he’s lamenting the endless emptiness of life after his wife has died), so I appreciated the Shakespearean easter eggs throughout the story. They tie into the plot seamlessly and never felt heavy handed. The cover has meaning too - it’s a computerized version of The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai (so clever!).

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is a beautifully written and emotionally rich novel that explores themes of friendship, creativity, and the impact of video games on our lives. The story follows Sam and Sadie, two childhood friends who reconnect as adults to create a successful video game company, navigating the complexities of their evolving relationship and personal growth along the way. Zevin’s prose is lyrical and thought-provoking, offering a deep dive into the bonds that define us and the choices that shape our futures. This is a poignant and immersive read for those who appreciate stories about love, loss, and the intersections of art and life.

while i liked the story of friendship and how that can change over time, the pro-isreal stance left a bad taste in my mouth that i couldn't shake. that ended up tainting the story for me.

I feel like people really love this book, and I’m just over here wondering if I missed something. It was a solid 2.5-3 stars for me—not bad, but not the life-changing read everyone seems to say it is. The writing is good, the characters are well-developed, and I can see why it resonates with people, but it just didn’t click for me. That said, I wouldn’t rule out giving it another shot down the line—maybe it’s one of those books that hits differently the second time. Or maybe it’s just not my thing. Either way, I respect the hype, even if I don’t fully feel it.

I really enjoyed the first half of this novel, but the second half kind of ruined it for me. The whole novel was kind of sad and melancholic, but it felt almost like someone else wrote the second half. I don't know how to explain it. It was slower and more hopeless? I kept hoping for Sam and Sadie to get their heads out of their funk and actually communicate with each other. I did enjoy the parts learning about the games they made and when I thought the book would go a certain way. I guess I just didn't like the way things ended up. The writing was good though, if a little slow at times.

I enjoyed reading this book. It wasn't a 5 star read, but I'm really glad I read it. The characters were interesting and cool overall, though sometimes they were annoying and a little cringe. You'll get teary eyed reading this a couple times. If you like video games and nerdy stuff you should read this.

For me, this was a little slow to pick up at first, but it picked up the pace after about 30%. I'm not thrilled about some of the choices the main characters made, but it was a journey and I was here for every bit of it. Love the women in gaming topics it slays. Would absolutely read this author again.

I loved the gaming aspect of this book, and the characters and their relationship were so unique. I've read another of Zevin's books, and she captures a particular type of melancholy that I find comforting to read.

It took me so long to get into this one, and while I enjoyed it it wasn’t one of my favorites. I’m definitely in the minority here so I would still recommend it.

I received a complementary advanced reading copy of this selection in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a weird one for me. I think 90s kid nostalgia says I should have loved it. Instead, I think it just hurt my heart, but at the same time, I looked forward to reading on. Explain that one to me.

This was not like anything I've read before. Super interesting to learn about the gaming industry as a non-gamer. It's not an upper but that made the characters more real. Their friendship is both moving and traffic. This should be required reading for the understanding the human experience.

“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” is a captivating and beautifully written novel that explores the depths of friendship, creativity, and the passage of time. The characters are richly developed, and the narrative is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. It’s a must-read for anyone who appreciates a story that is as intellectually stimulating as it is heartfelt. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

I know, I know, there’s a lot of hype around this book. I also know that it’s, in theory, a book about video games. And let me guess, you don’t play video games. Me either - but that’s okay because it’s really not about video games. Trust me on this. I loved this book. The characters are deeply flawed- but aren’t we all. Definitely worth your time - even if you don’t like video gems.

This book was beautifully written. I felt attached to the characters and their experiences. I appreciated the writing style feeling like a timeline. I have recommended this to friends and will suggest it to older students in the future.

This was truly a masterpiece. Gabrielle Zevin is a phenomenal writer and I will read anything and everything she writes.

Thank-you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin in return for my honest review. I listened to the audiobook while simultaneously reading it, and I highly recommend this reading experience.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was an unexpected read for me, in the very best of ways. I found the subject-matter of creating video games to be interesting and unique, but it was the friendships of the main characters that took this novel to the next level. The reader learns about these long-time friends turned business partners, as we get to know them through the years, and their back-stories. Life is messy, and it’s this messiness that feels real and true. The reader gets invested with these wonderfully, flawed characters, and shares in their joys and sorrows, highs and lows.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the depiction of lifelong friendship was genuinely lovely, and the NPC section had me close to tears. Since reading it, I have actively recommended it to everyone I've come across. I thought it was a fantastic work.