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A review by booksjessreads
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I have avoided writing the review for this for a while, simply because I refuse to believe that elements of this book happened. I really liked some elements of this book, its unapologetic Jewishness, its strong-minded characters, the way the gaming world is explored, amongst other things. But wow, I lost a lot of interest after the thing happens.
To reel off some more positives, one thing I loved was how Zevin takes the reader through the gaming world. I am not a massive gamer and do not know a lot of the technical jargon of the gaming world, but Zevin wrote this in a way that was easy to understand, but it generally had an immersive style to it. I felt it was easy to get sucked into Sam and Sadie's world and I liked this element of it. Despite their flaws, I also somewhat enjoyed seeing a variety of characters. This novel is basically a whole platonic miscommunication trope, but I liked seeing different sides to the characters and significant contrasts between their personalities. Finally, the disability rep in this is good and I appreciated the way Zevin depicted Sam's physical disability.
I felt like the thing that happens was just completely unnecessary though. Killing Marx was just an absolute shock but I felt like the story was not destined for that to happen. I think up until that point, I was waiting for more complex elements to Sam and Sadie's lives, but that felt too abrupt and unnatural and I felt the way life was dealt with after Marx's death was not told well, nor was it realistic in places? I don't know? It felt like lazy writing to be honest. I didn't appreciate it at all.
I don't know if I would re-read this, and I am unsure if I would recommend this. Certainly check the trigger warnings before you read and I think whilst it appears pacey in parts and lighter on the surface, it can get very dark very quickly and I would say the latter half of the book goes down-hill.
To reel off some more positives, one thing I loved was how Zevin takes the reader through the gaming world. I am not a massive gamer and do not know a lot of the technical jargon of the gaming world, but Zevin wrote this in a way that was easy to understand, but it generally had an immersive style to it. I felt it was easy to get sucked into Sam and Sadie's world and I liked this element of it. Despite their flaws, I also somewhat enjoyed seeing a variety of characters. This novel is basically a whole platonic miscommunication trope, but I liked seeing different sides to the characters and significant contrasts between their personalities. Finally, the disability rep in this is good and I appreciated the way Zevin depicted Sam's physical disability.
I felt like the thing that happens was just completely unnecessary though.
I don't know if I would re-read this, and I am unsure if I would recommend this. Certainly check the trigger warnings before you read and I think whilst it appears pacey in parts and lighter on the surface, it can get very dark very quickly and I would say the latter half of the book goes down-hill.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Sexual content, Gun violence, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Car accident
Moderate: Homophobia, Drug use, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Medical content, Rape, and Mental illness