I loved The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, which is one of my very favorite novels, so I was more than eager to read this. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

This is the story of the life of Sam and Sadie, who meet when they were kids in a hospital where Sam is being treated for the aftermath of a horrific car accident and Sadie’s sister is being treated for leukemia. It’s about the ups and downs in their lives and their friendship that spans more than 30 years.

After a falling out, Sam and Sadie meet again as college students (he at Harvard, she at MIT) and their story progresses. Both have a real love for video games, and it’s those games that form the backdrop for their story. Although I have definitely played my share of video games throughout my life, and I still do, some of the details about the designing, coding and playing thee games were sometimes tedious, making it hard to keep reading. Additionally, I think that the novel would have been better if cut by at least a third, especially eliminating some of the backstory that runs throughout.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the characters, who are likable and compelling, and seeing how they developed. All in all, this was a good read for me, but definitely not a great one.

A sweet sweet one from Netgalley. All the loves for always providing great ARCs!!

Im feeling delirious. I haven't read anything quite this good in long while. Truly a stroke of genius!! I'm crying in a corner😭. This. This deserves all the love and recognition in the world.

On the surface, this book is about a relationship between two childhood friends who grew up to make video games together. But make that relationship intricately complicated yet endearing and also terribly gut wrenching.

Two flawed people shoved hard into shitty life with shitty situations. I could defend Sadie and Sam with my life, but they're both to be blamed too. It's pain that drives them together, and pain too sends them apart.

The complexity of the characters is mind blowing. I especially had the best time trying to read Sadie. Most of the time she's nothing but supportive. Then she also is so full of ego, she's intolerable, hard headed but the way she bends for Sam melts my stone cold heart. Sam on the other hand, it's impossible not to feel sorry for his pain. He's lovable yet self damaging, ambitious yet selfish, but he never gave up on Sadie 🥺♥️.

They're both assholes to each other. But I believe people don't turn to be assholes just because they feel like it. They're assholes because they're too depressed to function. They're assholes because they're in unbearable amount of pain. They're assholes because they could feel nothing but overwhelming sadness.

What first seems to be a coming of age story, then turns into a walk of adulthood. Brilliantly touches on blinding desire to excel, search of identity, self doubt, survival, to name a few. Immensely strong plot and wonderful pacing. I thoroughly enjoyed devouring this book from beginning to end.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a complex, multifaceted, sweeping yet intimate story that will stick with me for a long time.

This intelligently and beautifully written story follows Sam and Sadie, who first meet as children in a hospital where they discover their mutual love for video games. We get to follow their relationship over the next few decades, through all of the misunderstandings, camaraderie, betrayals, relationships with others, and every other emotion along the way on a journey to understand and appreciate the power of hope and friendship. Additional effective side characters with their own unique personalities like Marx, Sam’s grandparents Dong Hyon and Bong Cha, Simon, Ant, and Zoe only add to the story. While being a story with video games at its core, it was more of a tale of life, relationships, anguish, success and failure, found family, disability, starting over, and oh so much more, and you certainly do not have to be a gamer of any sort to appreciate it.

What struck me most about this book were the characters themselves. Sam and Sadie were flawed, immature, arrogant at times and incredibly frustrating, but at the same time I just couldn’t pull myself away from them. There were definitely times that I just wanted to shake them both (especially Sadie) as we followed their friends-to-enemies cycle over and over (which did get a little repetitive), but at the same time they were just so real and an extraordinarily on-point depiction of the Millennial generation.

A couple other standouts for me were the super fun and completely obscure vocabulary used throughout, the overall spectacular writing style, and the nostalgia of years gone by. I can see how the unique word choices could be a turn off for some, but I found it strangely fitting and was personally entertained by learning so many new words. I was continually impressed with how sophisticated yet accessible the writing felt - one particular scene that stood out to me was near the end, where Zevin shifted into describing a gameplay experience to move the story along - just completely original. And of course it was really fun to take the trip down memory lane with all of the references to early video games (Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., Oregon Trail, etc.) and other things like classic pizza parlors, Magic Eye books and Tamagotchis.

I’d be remiss not to mention content warnings of suicide, domestic abuse and gun violence.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and its unique, emotional, interesting and exceptionally written reading experience. These characters left an impression on my heart. Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I am grateful to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing for this eARC. I was very excited to be approved to read it ahead of its publication date. There has been a lot of positive buzz about this book.

My initial excitement felt earned at the beginning when Sam and Sadie meet each other In the hospital. The start of their friendship over their shared interest in video games is literally and figuratively "healing," even though it is also the source of their first big argument. Unfortunately over time, I did not feel as vested. Part of the problem is that I did not find either main character to be very likable. They misunderstand each other repeatedly and do not even understand themselves that well. Truly, I appreciated Marx as a character more than Sam and Sadie.

In addition I was taken aback multiple times by triggering content that I had not seen in reviews, to the point where I almost stopped reading. Sensitive readers need to be aware of the presence of sexual abuse, suicide, casual drug use as well as gratuitously vulgar language in spots.

The overall vibe of the story is sad, but Sam's grandparents add heartwarming touches here and there, particularly in the form of a huge Donkey Kong game found in their pizza shop. I appreciated chapters in which they re-enter the narrative. Their Donkey Kong game becomes a nice connecting thread for Sam and Sadie.

Not knowing much about the technical aspect of creating video games was not an obstacle. I actually appreciated that aspect of the book and felt that I got an education on what goes into being a programmer/creative.

I wish I had liked this more, but I still feel fortunate to have read it early thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing.

I read this in one sitting on the beach and barely looked up from my kindle until I’d finished. I hadn’t read a book by Gabrielle Zevin in years (I’d last loved The Storied Life of AJ Fikry, and I read her YA books as a teen) and it was so lovely to reconnect with her writing in a book that felt more ambitious but just as character-driven, though more grounded in reality than I remember her books being. I’m an extremely casual video game player but fascinated by stories of creatives and people making things, so I was drawn in immediately to this close look at an industry and process I knew very, very little about. The characters and their complicated, push-and-pull, familial and dependent and two (or three)-halves-of-one-brain relationships
The book lagged a bit for me in the half/two thirds mark, but picked up some momentum again as the sad (and pretty unexpected) turn occurred. Sam and Sadie’s pattern of not talking or figuring anything out grew a bit frustrating, boring, and repetitive as it went on, especially for two people who knew each other so intimately. Zevin built their characters and arcs (and Marx’s) so well despite this pattern, and ultimately made them touching and gave them a satisfying and not saccharine ending.

I’m a bit surprised at myself for reading this book since I am not a gamer. Pacman became popular when I was still in school, but it seems like gaming really took off during the years my kids were growing up. I’m pleased to let readers know that you don’t have to be a gamer to enjoy this book.

The three main characters, Sadie, Sam and Marx were likable and they each brought a different talent to the games they developed. Sam and Sadie met when they were pre-teens and formed a deep friendship, then went years without seeing each other. They just happened to bump into each other years later when they were finishing up with college and that meeting led to them teaming up with Marx to develop a game.

These three had some complicated relationships. I loved their friendships and their interactions with other characters in the story. At one difficult point in the story I felt like the author wrote so compassionately about what Marx was going through. This portion was my favorite part of the book because it was so touching.

I’m not going to lie—there was a lot of talk about the games they developed and at times my attention wavered, but overall this was a great read.

Many thanks to NetGally and Knopf Publishing Group for allowing me to read and advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review.

I am not a gamer but you don’t need to be in order to greatly appreciate this well-written and engaging novel. It is a story of growth and self-discovery, love and friendship. Sam and Sadie meet when Sam is in the hospital recovering from a terrible accident and Sadie is visiting her ill sister. They bond over video games and later, while in college, begin a successful collaboration. They are reflected, to some extent, in the games they create and that’s a fascinating part of the story. But it is their human interaction and their actions, or lack thereof, that makes this a very special read. We come to know the fascinating main characters quite well and sometimes wish we could give them a bit of sage advice but they need to learn and grow on their own. The supporting characters (parents and grandparents, friends and lovers) are interesting and human and contribute greatly to the fullness of the story. The writing is skillful, the story is special; it is a good read! Thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, an earlier book by Gabrielle Zevin, so I was excited to get an eARC of her new release. Unfortunately, this one just isn't for me.

The writing is fine, though nothing wowed me. The characters didn't interest me all that much. There's a whole lot of talk about gaming, the gaming field, designing games, playing games... on and on. Maybe an avid gamer would find this interesting, but I was bored.

DNF

what a beautiful book. the story of 2 main characters and their NPC who tames the horses.
I am not a gamer,. it is easy to get lost in some of the game creation aspects, but the main thing is learning how to love, forgive, grow and play. I enjoyed this with all my heart.

Sadie and Sam met as teenagers and bonded over a love of video games. They reconnect a few years later on the other side of the country while in college and work together to design a video game. This epic book follows their journey from Super Mario Brothers to...whatever the big video games of today are (I'm not a gamer), as their relationship ebbs and flows.

Again, let me state, I'm not a gamer (well, not video games, at least), but I loved this book. I ate up every moment, every big life moment captured and all the small, quiet moments, too. Sam and Sadie weren't always likeable, but they were always very human. I also loved the character of Marx, who played peacekeeper and the voice of reason. May we all have a Marx in our lives.

What I also appreciated was the idea that intimacy does not have to come in the form of a romantic relationship.
"Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" is a book I'll think about for a long time (and recommend to all my friends).

This was the first book by Gabrielle Zevin I’ve read, despite having a few of her other books on my to-read list. I went in completely blind, didn’t even read the synopsis, didn’t even know it was about video games until I started. Games are my husband’s area of expertise, so I’m sure he would’ve picked up more on those references sprinkled throughout the book.
Despite my lack of knowledge on games, I was intrigued by this story. Sam and Sadie and Marx intrigued, annoyed, and frustrated me, somehow all at the same time. The constant miscommunication throughout their friendship - and the entire novel - was so irritating. And yet, especially after the halfway point, I could not put it down. And even though I was frustrated with the characters, it truly was a masterfully written study of people and the imperfections and flaws that make them up.

I was pretty skeptical of this one . . . and then I loved it fiercely. Smart, clever, surprising - it broke my heart and yet ultimately felt so hopeful.

Title: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Knopf
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

My Assessment:

The story was wonderfully delivered to the reader about how this starting gaming process as it started for the three friends... Sadie, Sam, and Marx. The read is long but will keep your interest as you turn the pages to the end. The author did an excellent job at keeping the story and timelines as the reader understood the compelling narration of what was going on between the characters. The story will not be all happy, and there will be 'complexities, love, relationships, death, stress, growing up, friendship, and grief' along with some exciting video games presented in this story. It was interesting to look behind the scenes that go into coming up with how these gamers work hard to develop these games. The story will keep one captivated. This was my first time reading about gaming, and I was indeed impressed by this reading.

Thanks to Knopf Publishing Group and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my review.

In Gabrielle Zevin’s ending “Notes and Acknowledgments,” she writes “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a novel about work…Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is equally about love.” Those may be the bookends, but between them is a sweeping masterpiece of the lives of young friends over three decades. It spans not just time of those tomorrows and tomorrows and tomorrows, but also the vibrant world of gaming and gamers, to diverse geographic anchors from coast to coast. Sadie Green and Sam Mazer meet in their teens at a time of tragedy and suffering for Sam, opening a door to a life-altering friendship through their affinity and life-saving outlet of gaming. Marx Watanabe enters in their college years as Sam’s roommate, and the three meld into a solid friendship. They start their own gaming business “Unfair Games” after their creation of blockbuster game Ichigo. What follows are the years of the company’s successes and failures with the interplay of lives and love of the three friends.

The writer brilliantly takes us into the world of worldbuilding and gaming even for the totally ignorant, enticing us to long to play Ichigo, Mapletown, and famous games. We sit with them as they devise, walk and talk through the creation process -- right onto the business aspects. Woven in are the three’s complex relationships, at times fractured, healed, or maturing. No aspect of the book seems extraneous. Family relationships, hopes and fears, sacrifices and ambition, forgiveness and longing, disabilities and diversity, identity and culture, societal risks and geographic differences, literary and drama references, loyalty and betrayal, the past and the future—and always gaming—layered, blended, or transposed seamlessly. The gaming world, the stages of the characters’ lives, and the immersed reading experience are intertwined so the reader may feel one, not three, worlds. Near the end, without prefatory explanation, we are dropped into a game at a time that is risky for the writer, unforgettable and alluring for the reader, and perfect for this story, these characters, and the magical experience of gaming. About three-quarters of the way through the book, a tragic event happens, to which I had to put the book aside for a day before I could continue.

Writing a review for Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow has been difficult because of the sweeping artistry, talent, and imagination of this writer, as well as the immense and inedible effect it left. I had read and treasured Gabrille Zevin’s The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry in 2014 and without question was eager to read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (especially with this title, and how Macbeth or that poor player on the stage is connected). This goes beyond any expectations I had. This is best book I have read in 2022 and I will never forget it.

For the early access to this book, I am grateful to NetGalley, Knopf Doubleday Publishing, and Gabrielle Zevin for the opportunity to read this splendid book. My opinion is all my own.

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow is a tough book to review. At points, it’s compelling and others, well, not so much. I had a hard time connecting with the characters at times and because of that, there were points where this really felt like a bit of a slog. I also almost didn't make it past the first chapter. It felt like the author was trying too hard to use all the big words rather than connect with the reader. That's a big turn off for me.

I was so excited to get an ARC of this book since I had seen a few instagrammers mention they enjoyed this unique book. I was also intrigued by the video game element.

I inhaled this book over 2-3 days. I wanted to know what was going to happen with Sam and Sadie. This book spans year of their lives and skips around in time to tell an overarching story. The parts of this story I loved were how Sam and Sadie met and their connection. I enjoyed how the author provided glimpses back and into the future. Those propelled me through the book.
I’d say this book is mostly character driven and about the relationship between these two characters and how gaming/creating games plays different roles in their lives. The ending fit the books theme, a new beginning just as a video game character dies and starts again, so do they start again but with more knowledge of the world and each other. Though a part of me wanted a bit more resolution there.
While I enjoyed this book, I didn’t find myself rooting for the characters much. I prefer having a main character to root for, but this didn’t end up landing for me there.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Gabrielle Zevin
Knopf
Publication: July 5, 2022

Zevin has created a whip-smart novel of love, work, and video games. The story centers on two main characters: Sam Masur and Sadie Green. They meet in a hospital hospitality room where they take turns playing Nintendo. Sam is recovering from a car crash that killed his mother and that mangled his foot. Sadie is visiting her sister who is in the hospital for Leukemia. Sadie continues to visit Sam to play games even after her sister is discharged. (They are children at this point.)

Years later, they meet in the subway in Boston where Sam is attending Harvard and Sadie is attending MIT. They re-connect and collaborate on a complicated game, Ichigo, about a young child who gets swept away in a storm and returns home years later as a ten-year-old. Sam’s roommate, Marx, helps them as they work hard to finish the game. They have great success with the game and soon, with Marx as producer, the three have their own gaming company, Unfair Games.

Sam and Sadie have love for each other but they have arguments and don’t speak at times. This causes friction at the company and things become complicated. I don’t want to spoil the story so I’ll leave it at that.

Other characters I loved are Sam’s grandparents Dong Hyun (Grandfather) Bong Cha (Grandmother). They provide much needed wisdom and love to Sam and play vital roles in his life. A side note: They have a Donkey Kong game in their pizza shop.

I love how Zevin honestly portrays how women functioned in the gaming business. It reminds me of Brenda Romero (yes, wife to John) who is one of the few women pioneer female game designers. Was there a nod to her game Train when Sadie’s first MIT game dealt with Nazi’s? She wasn’t mentioned in the notes, but in my world, it is a nod to Brenda.

This novel is about love and work and video games. It is a fantastic book and I’ll be reading Zevin’s other works to see if they hold up to this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Knopf for this electronic arc in exchange for my honest review.

"Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" captured my attention and heart. Sadie and Sam have known each other for almost their entire lives, meeting in a hospital game room playing "Super Mario Bros." on a TV. This book tracks the following 25 years of both of their lives, as well as the love, betrayal, heartache, destruction, and grief packed within that time. The language in this novel is stunning, at times perfectly reflecting the narration of a video game, both in the digital and real worlds. The stunning allusions to art, music, and theatrical pieces throughout help the reader encapsulate a full vision for the work Sam and Sadie create. This book captures the strength of loyalty and relationships while also presenting how we face trials and tribulations at our highs and lows. I will think about these characters for a long time...

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow is the story of Sadie and Sam - two childhood friends who bond over video games. Their lives continue to intersect until they create their own video game. Overnight they are hugely successful but their trauma continues to follow them.

This book! I laughed. I cried. I was so mad I had to put the book down and walk away. I haven’t felt this many emotions in a book for a long time. The character development and growth is fantastic. This is heavy on the video games and I can see how it could be a bit tedious for some readers. In the end though it’s a story of love - how to love and be loved. How to accept love when you aren’t sure you love yourself. Truly one of the best things I’ve read all year.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is set in the world of Video Gaming, yet it is so much more. Kowing the Protagonists were Creative Partners in gaming design, I almost passed on this one. While I had no interest in video games, I do like Gabrielle Zevin's writing, so decided to pick it up. Sam Masur and Sadie Green share much more than a talent and business. Close friends since childhood, except for an estrangement during their teen/early college years, theirs is a relationship like few found in literature. A third business partner/roommate, Marx, adds another dimension as he offers financial support as well as friendship. Disability, independence, friendship and codependence all play into the story. I found the business development and gaming background fascinating, but it was the relationships that hooked me. The author describes love as both a constant and a variable at the same time and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow exemplifies this beautifully.
#TomorrowandTomorrowandTomorrow #NetGalley