Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is easily the best book I have read so far this year. I now understand the hype and how Gabrielle Zevin’s book was Goodreads book of the year in 2022. First, the title is amazing and so catchy! I love how Zevin weaves in the title towards the end and how it relates to Marx’s character. I loved the Japanese reference in the cover, Under the Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai and how it was integrated into the story. I also loved the Emily Dickinson poem references because PVRIS, one of my favorite rock bands, has an album called all we know of heaven, and all we need of hell from an Emily Dickinson poem. I guess true masterpieces always reference Emily Dickinson.
The book revolves around two childhood friends, Sam and Sadie, who go on to start designing video games after reconnecting years later at a train station. Their first game becomes a hit and Marx (Sam’s college roommate) joins their partnership as a producer. After the trio sells their video game, the book explores their friendship over time. Their partnership reminded me of The Social Network because of their creative differences as they developed more games.
I fell in love with all the characters, especially Marx! I am absolutely in love with Marx! I promise you that you will fall in love with Marx. He may be a secondary character but without Max there would be no games. He is so charismatic and this quote by Marx warms my heart. “What is a game? Marx said. “It’s tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. It’s the possibility of infinite rebirth, infinite redemption. The idea that if you keep playing, you could win, no loss is permanent, because nothing is permanent, ever.”
Once you get to know Marx and his hobbies, you understand why the Macbeth reference is so important to him. I truly understand why the women always fell in love with him! I will my man my man my man Marx forever!!
The book also had so many memorable quotes like this one: “Sadie Miranda Green! You have died of dysentery!”
I hated Dov! No discussion needed.
I was worried that I would have to be an avid video game player to enjoy this book but the writing proved me wrong. The book is full of nostalgia and you feel like you are part of the trio discussing video game designs. The video game descriptions are so good and make you want to play the game. I now want to experience playing Solution and Ichigo. I loved how they also incorporated the music score and selection process behind the video games. This part reminded me of the song Ludens by BMTH, a song for the action game called Death Stranding.
The NPC Chapter is definitely the highlight of the book! This is the best chapter and you will need space to recover after finishing this chapter. I honestly need to read more of Gabrielle Zevin’s work because I fell in love with her storytelling. This book will forever be on top of my mind when anyone asks for a book recommendation! So many emotions felt throughout the book: anger, nostalgia, sadness and grief. I cannot wait for the screen adaptation.
I gave it a low 5 star because the Emily chapter was too long, a little bit confusing and underwhelming. In my opinion, I felt that the description of them playing the virtual game was unnecessary and interfered with the pacing of the novel. This could have been a paragraph!