A review by bookmaddie
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book really struck me—it slowly but surely wormed its way under my skin and had me on the verge of tears (sometimes happy, sometimes sad) for the final third of the story. We follow Sam and Sadie, who meet when they are around eleven in a hospital, and follows their on-and-off friendship for over twenty years as they create video games together. Marx, Sam's college roommate, also becomes enmeshed in their friendship. I really loved his outside perspective of their friendship, and Zevin beautifully expresses his love and awe for them.

Zevin uses video games to look at life through a different lens, sowing optimism and love even in moments of true despair. The idea of rebirth is often brought up, and the way it is used as an anchor between Sam and Sadie (and Marx) was really beautiful. I will probably repeat beautiful fifty times, but whenever I think about this book, it's the main word that comes to mind. If I were able to pour out all that I feel about my own friends, I know I could never do it as masterfully as Zevin has.

I just found this story of friendship to be so touching, affecting, and thoughtful. There are so many lines I need to go back and write down—glimpses of wisdom I'd be lucky to remember. Just read it !! I love it.

I have read some reviews that bring up the disability representation in this book and question whether or not it's problematic. While I'm not disabled, I read Sam's character as struggling through a lot of internalized ableism, which clouds his perception of his own disability and how he should or should not experience or show pain. Definitely something to keep in mind as you read to figure your own opinion on! 
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