Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,
by Gabrielle Zevin
Knopf Publishing Group
7/5/2022
416 pages
Literary fiction
Goodreads
I enjoyed The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry a lot. And as Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is about video games (a theme I appreciate a lot in novels, like in Ready Player One for instance), it sounded promising and I requested it for review.
But there are not too many authors I can order on repeat, as I need to remind myself once more, as this fiction didn’t work for me. And really, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry and this one don’t feel like they were written by the same author.
I know, you must be screaming at me, as apparently so many of you loved it.
At first, I liked the two main characters Sam and Sadie, two smart kids with lots of issues, and how they met originally.
Maybe I focused too much on the words “video games design” in the synopsis. It is indeed the place where they meet at a deeper level. But I was expecting more plots about these games.
Instead, I found boring text explaining each of the various games.
The real focus is the relationships between Sam, Sadie, their friend Marx, and others. Yes, it’s about love and friendship and connections, themes that don’t really grab me totally in literature, if there’s not much more around.
Some elements I really didn’t like at all, like all the details on passages with Dov and his taste for S&M. I found their relationship really sick and full of negative energy.
Then there’s a lesbian couple, totally unnecessary here. I have no issue with lesbian couples in literature, but here it felt like the author decided to insert one in her story to make it more marketable. It didn’t work with the rest of the book.
There’s also a lot of drugs.
I did enjoy all the references to Miyazaki and other Japanese artists, as well as the description of K-town in L.A.
But the book as a whole was too long (416 pages – The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry has only 260), with a boring plot. Things get finally starting in about the last quarter of the book.
VERDICT: The story had potential, but I found the book too long and boring. My big disappointment for 2022.
HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK?
What did I miss?
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN A COMMENT PLEASE
In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received this ebook free of charge through Netgalley, for review. I was in no way compensated for this post as a reviewer, and the thoughts are my own.
Words And Peace 
I’m sorry to hear this didn’t work for you. I’m still thinking about reading because I’m so curious now!
LikeLike
Most readers loved it!
LikeLike
I haven’t read this, and on the strength of your review, definitely shan’t be looking for it. Especially if it concerns video games..
LikeLike
Most readers loved it a lot though
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, one I can safely ignore then. I don’t have any interest in video games….
LikeLike
Yes, might be painful 😉
LikeLike
Second try at a comment… I loved Fikry, and liked her Young Jane Young, but the video game bit of this one put me off. I guess I didn’t miss much.
LikeLike
Your first comment came through too.
Yes, disappointing
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard some readers saying that they liked this one better than Ready Player One (which I enjoyed). Ah well, too bad you didn’t connect with it. Don’t think I am going to try it.
LikeLike
NO, no way better than Ready Player One or Ready Player Two, these two by Cline are packed by action and suspense, and lots more real details about the video games, as the characters are actually playing them, not just designing them. And as a reader, I felt I was playing them as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: 2022: July wrap-up | Words And Peace
Guess I’ll skip this book. Thanks for the honest review
LikeLike
well. lots of readers do like it
LikeLike
I’m glad to read your review. I wasn’t sure about this one. I liked Ready Player One and need to get to Ready Player Two. Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts.
LikeLike
I really don’t see much comparison with the magnificent Ready Player One (and two)
LikeLike
I have a hard time with books with a couple I can’t actually root for. I’ve found that with some romances – the couple is so toxic that I think, “Do I actually want these people together?” It’s hard to root for a happily ever after if you feel like the characters just really need to be in therapy. Guess that’s why I don’t really read romance anymore.
LikeLike
I usually don’t read romance either. I didn’t think this one was originally marketed as romance. The part about video gaes got my attenrion in the synopsis, and I had really enoyed her previous book. But I have to keep in mind that there can be a big difference between 2 books by the same author. You think by now I would know…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: 2023: March wrap-up | Words And Peace
Pingback: 2023: April wrap-up | Words And Peace
Pingback: Sunday Post #85 – 05/14/2023 | Words And Peace