
Member Reviews

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.

This book was amazing ! I loved the how rich and complex the characters were . I also loved all the gaming stuff it was so interesting . This was def one of my top reads !

I admit I didn't get around to reading this book until my book club chose it, and I wish I'd read it as soon as #Knopf let me have a copy through #NetGalley. I really enjoyed the book. The characters are quirky and unique, and I found myself cheering for them, even when they are not exactly lovable, a trait they share with their literary cousins in [book:The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry|18293427]
I am not a gamer, and the protagonists are younger than I, so I'm sure there are references which I missed, though I know enough of that world to follow along. This is literary fiction, and the story arc is fraught, the characters have real challenges, and the ending is ...also realistic.
There are books where, as a reader's advisory librarian or a bookseller, you put it in people's hands and say"just read it". This is one of them. You'll like the characters, there is a lot of fast moving plotting, the settings are well realized -- and you will be swept into their world.
It is not, despite the cover and the title, science fiction. Enjoy.

I enjoyed this more than I expected since I have never played video games. But the story is more than that. Sam is recuperating in the hospital from a car accident that killed his mom when he meets Sadie who is visiting her sister. They start playing video games together and in the next 20+ years are friends and designers of video games.
I found the writing easy to read for the most part. The explanations of games was kind of a bore only because I had no real exposure to games at all but there wasn't so much of it that I wanted to get it over with. I felt that the characters of Marx, Sam and Sadie were well done. I thought Marx was great and would have liked more of him. Sadie was more complex. Most of the time I didn't like her. It was almost like she wanted to be miserable. Sam was sad, having injured his foot in the accident he was in constant pain and didn't know where he fit in the world and Sadie was his best friend but there were times when she wasn't and it annoyed me. Small slights would lead them to not speak for years. But in the end I loved the friendship and love they had for each other and hope that after the book ended they continued to do wonderful things together.
Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf Doubleday for providing me with a digital copy.

DNFd pretty quickly, as it was kind of over my head. I wasn’t able to maintain interest. I honestly do not understand how this book became so hyped.

With Tomorrow, Zevin returns to the relationship/meaning-of-life themes she visited with Elsewhere and the Storied Life of AJ Fikry, two of my all-time favorite reads. Her ability to capture the human experience in all its messy gloriousness and in so many varied worlds and situations, knows no bounds. I cannot wait to see where she takes her readers next.

Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a contemplative exploration of friendship, creativity, and the passage of time. While the novel offers moments of genuine insight and well-crafted prose, it ultimately falls short of its potential, making for an engaging but uneven read.
The story follows Sam and Sadie, two friends and collaborators who share a deep love for video game design. Their partnership, spanning over several decades, is marked by both creative triumphs and personal conflicts. Zevin skillfully delves into the intricacies of their relationship, capturing the nuances of their emotional and professional dynamics. The depiction of their collaborative process and the evolution of their games provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of game development. However - and this is just personal preference - the narrative just didn't hold my interest very well.
One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of the creative process. Zevin's descriptions of game design are vivid and engaging. The games themselves serve as metaphors for the characters' lives, reflecting their struggles, desires, and personal growth. This thematic depth adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the intersections between art and life.
However, the novel's pacing is uneven, with certain sections feeling overly drawn out. The narrative occasionally loses momentum, making it difficult to maintain a consistent level of engagement. Some characters, while intriguing, are not fully developed, leaving their arcs feeling incomplete and their motivations unclear.
Zevin's writing is often lyrical and evocative, and her insights into creativity and friendship are thought-provoking. The novel raises important questions about the nature of collaboration, the passage of time, and the ways in which we connect with others through art.
In conclusion, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is...a mixed bag. Readers interested in the creative process and the world of video game design may find it worth their time, but those seeking a more cohesive and emotionally resonant story might come away feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
Rating: 3.5/5 rounded up

This book is fantastic. It is about the evolution of three brilliant friends from college, how they support each other through mental health and neurodiversity challenges, told over a 30-year span.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is a perfect fit for readers who crave a poignant and challenging exploration of the complexities of human connection, love, and creativity, with a deep dive into the world of gaming and the power of friendship, making it a must-read for fans of character-driven literary fiction.

I'm not even a gamer and I adored this book. Pro tip, don't read it on a plane if you don't want people to see you ugly cry.

This book was longer than it needed to be. It could have been edited down quite a bit and not lost any of its message. Zevin writes characters that the reader wants to root for and this book is no exception. I look forward to reading his upcoming novels.

Terrific novel. All the characters felt real. I laughed and cried. I hate video games, and this is still one of my favorite books of the year.

While I know this book has been getting allllll the rave review, I have to say.... it wasn't for me. Did I enjoy it? I think so? Would I recommend it? Probably not.
The characters were unlikeable and seemed to be kind of whiny throughout the entire story. I felt that there was a cloud hanging over this book, and I'm not into stories like that. The video game design aspect was really confusing for me (I'm not a gamer) so I do acknowledge that I may not have been the person Zevin was trying to appeal to.
I think the idea is fun but it fell short for me. I was looking for a little more fun in a book about gaming. Too serious for me at the time of reading!

I loved this!
A story about friends over the span of a lifetime. How you can weave in and out of someone's life.
The characters were complex and detailed, and their relationships were real and layered.
I had to buy a physical copy too!
Thanks to the publishers and netgalley for this eARC for exchange for an honest review.

Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a captivating and emotionally resonant novel that delves into the intricate dynamics of friendship, creativity, and the evolving world of video game development. Known for her ability to create richly drawn characters and compelling narratives, Zevin delivers a story that is both a deep dive into the gaming industry and a poignant exploration of human connections.
The novel centers around the lives of two friends, Sam Masur and Sadie Green, who meet as children in a hospital gaming room and bond over their shared love of video games. Years later, their paths cross again at MIT, where they decide to collaborate on a video game that propels them into the limelight of the gaming industry. Their game, Ichigo, becomes a massive hit, launching their careers and setting the stage for a decades-long partnership filled with triumphs, setbacks, and personal growth.
Zevin's portrayal of Sam and Sadie is masterful. Both characters are complex, flawed, and deeply human. Sam, dealing with the physical and emotional scars from a car accident, is a brilliant but often reserved and conflicted individual. Sadie, who struggles with the pressures of success and her own creative ambitions, is equally compelling. Their relationship, marked by intense collaboration, occasional conflicts, and enduring affection, forms the heart of the novel. Zevin captures the nuances of their friendship with a keen eye for detail and an empathetic touch, making their journey both relatable and engrossing.
The novel's setting within the video game industry is richly depicted, offering readers a fascinating glimpse into the creative and technical processes behind game development. Zevin’s research is evident in the authenticity of the gaming world she portrays, from the brainstorming sessions and coding marathons to the business challenges and cultural shifts within the industry. This backdrop adds a unique and engaging dimension to the story, making it appealing to both gamers and non-gamers alike.
One of the standout elements of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is its exploration of creativity and collaboration. Zevin delves into the joys and struggles of working together on a shared vision, highlighting the magic that can emerge from creative partnerships as well as the tensions that can arise. The novel underscores the idea that creating something meaningful often requires navigating personal differences and overcoming obstacles, both internal and external.
Zevin’s writing is elegant and nuanced, balancing moments of humor and warmth with deeper, more introspective passages. Her dialogue is sharp and realistic, capturing the distinct voices of her characters and the subtleties of their interactions. The pacing of the novel is well-managed, with a narrative that flows smoothly between the past and present, allowing readers to fully engage with the characters' growth and the evolution of their relationship.
The themes of friendship, love, and ambition are intricately woven throughout the novel. Zevin examines how these elements intersect and influence each other, creating a rich tapestry of human experience. The novel also touches on issues such as disability, gender dynamics, and the impact of technology on society, adding layers of depth and relevance to the story.
In conclusion, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a beautifully crafted novel that showcases Gabrielle Zevin’s talent for storytelling and character development. With its compelling exploration of the gaming industry, nuanced portrayal of friendship, and insightful reflections on creativity, the novel is a poignant and thought-provoking read. It is a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever pursued a creative dream or navigated the complexities of a deep, enduring friendship. Zevin’s latest work is a testament to the power of collaboration and the enduring human spirit, making it a must-read for fans of literary fiction and beyond.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc.
Great book with Ready player ones vibes. Would recommend

Wowowowow - apparently sometimes the reason everyone loves something is that it’s just good. And this book was really lovely! As someone who spends a lot of time in hospitals, I did really resonate with Sam, which allowed me to have some patience with him when he did things I didn’t like! This is, however, another book where I think open communication would have prevented a lot of the conflict of the book though.