Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

★★★★

Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a nuanced exploration of art, friendship, and the intricate work that goes into both.

This time-traveling odyssey spans thirty years, chronicling the lives of childhood pals turned creative collaborators Sam and Sadie in the wild world of video game design. Their journey is a rollercoaster of fame, success, and the inevitable heartbreak that comes with creative genius.

Ichigo, their inaugural blockbuster, catapults them into the limelight before they even hit the ripe age of twenty-five. But the glitz and glamor don’t shield them from the harsh realities of ambition and betrayal. Zevin’s narrative digs deep into the intricacies of identity, disability, and the cathartic magic of gameplay, reflecting on what it means to be human in an increasingly digital world. Amid the pixels and polygons, the narrative unravels themes of gender, sexuality, and the sometimes murky waters of cultural appropriation within the gaming realm.

But at its core, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a love story—albeit not your run-of-the-mill romance. Sam and Sadie’s friendship is the beating heart of the tale, dissected with precision. Love within friendship, especially in the chaos of business partnerships, is explored in all its messy, glorious detail. Marx, another character in the mix, spotlights the collaborative dance behind creative ventures, offering a glimpse into the workings of friendships that shape big dreams. It challenges conventional love stories. Zevin weaves a tale that unspools the intricate threads of relationships, capturing the tumultuous nature of friendships and the enduring connections that weather storms.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow‘s nostalgic exploration and inventive take on building on the past make it an unexpected and refreshing read. It’s not a high score. It’s a critical hit.