A rollercoaster of a novel about friendship and ambition.
Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow takes readers on an emotional journey through the intertwined lives of two friends, Sam and Sadie, as they navigate the complexities of their friendship and their shared ambition to build amazing video games.
Sam and Sadie meet as kids in a hospital rec room where they quickly bond over video games. Sam is a patient and Sadie is visiting her sister. Their friendship blooms until Sam discovers that Sadie is also getting community service credit for their time together. They have a falling out and don’t reconnect until university when through happenstance they spot each other in a subway tunnel.
Sam and Sadie re-bond over video games. Sam is studying mathematics and Sadie is studying video game design. Sadie shares one of her games with Sam and it kicks off a grand adventure, which involves them quitting school (or deferring a semester initially) in order to create their game. Their game ends up having mass appeal and launches their careers.
This is the story about two best friends, who often fight like siblings but love each regardless. It’s about the enduring power of connection we have to friends who have known us since childhood. There’s a ton of emotional depth as Sam and Sadie explore the bittersweet nature of human relationships. Tragedy and poor communication pulls them apart multiple times but they always find a way back to each other.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow delivers! This novel is a must-read for anyone who has ever cherished a friendship that transcends time and distance. The cultural references from 80s and 90s art, music, and entertainment will provide anyone who grew up during that time a great sense of nostalgia. Highly recommended.