“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.”
― Gabrielle Zevin, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Have you ever read a book that felt like it truly understood your life? Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin might be that kind of book.

It’s a story about friendship, love, and building something meaningful with someone who matters. It follows two friends who grow up creating video games together.

But the games are just the setting. What really stands out is how the book focuses on emotions, choices, and how people grow and change over time.

In this post, I’ll share why this book stands out—and why it might deserve a place on your shelf.

With over 500,000 ratings on Goodreads, it’s clear this story means something to a lot of people. It’s not just about friendship. It’s about connection, creativity, and living many different versions of a life—all in one.

Plot Summary of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

“And what is love, in the end?” Alabaster said. “Except the irrational desire to put evolutionary competitiveness aside in order to ease someone else’s journey through life?”
― Gabrielle Zevin, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow tells the story of Sadie Green and Sam Masur, who first meet as children in a hospital game room. Years later, they cross paths again at a subway station in Cambridge, sparking a creative partnership that changes their lives.

Together with their loyal and charming friend Marx, they create a bestselling game called Ichigo and go on to start their own game studio.

But with success come new challenges as over the next thirty years, their journey is filled with big wins, painful losses, betrayals, and moments of healing.

Though the story centers on video games, it’s really about art, friendship, and the way people grow and rebuild themselves through connection and creativity.

Sam is smart but deeply hurt, using games to manage his pain. Sadie is talented and ambitious, often struggling to be seen in a space that overlooks her. Marx brings balance, offering steady kindness and support.

As time passes, each character changes. They make mistakes, drift apart, come back together, and learn from what they’ve lost. Their journey feels honest and real, full of both hope and heartbreak.

The book explores themes like identity, art, love, and the ways relationships evolve over time. It reminds us that some of the deepest connections defy easy labels and that the stories we build through games or life can shape who we become.

What Genre Does ‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow’ Focus On?

This book falls under literary fiction, with strong coming-of-age and tech-related themes. While it’s set in the world of video games, you don’t need to be a gamer to connect with the story.

The gaming world acts more as a backdrop than the main focus. The heart of the book lies in its exploration of creativity, collaboration, and long-lasting relationships.

The story traces the evolution of video games from the 1980s to the 2010s, showing how the creators themselves change alongside their work.

Zevin’s writing is thoughtful and clear, using simple language that carries emotional weight without being heavy.

The book’s structure is shaped like a game, moving through levels, pauses, and turning points that mirror personal growth.

At its core, this is a story about deep friendship. It also explores grief, joy, and the complicated paths we take in search of meaning. Even in the darkest moments, the story holds on to a quiet sense of hope.

Ratings and Reviews

“The way to turn an ex-lover into a friend is to never stop loving them, to know that when one phase of a relationship ends it can transform into something else. It is to acknowledge that love is both a constant and a variable at the same time.”
― Gabrielle Zevin, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

GoodReads Review

‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow’ by Gabrielle Zevin holds 4.13/5 stars with over 1,185,110 ratings. placing it among the site’s most beloved contemporary novels, with readers often talk about how deeply this book moved them.

“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow I will still be thinking about this brilliant book.” – Regina

“This was one of those books where, when someone asks you what the book you are reading is about, you are kind of at a loss for words. Because, as the blurb stated, this was essentially a book about two good friends making a video game together.” – Val

“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, is a multilayered novel about friendship, love, and video games.” – Meredith

Amazon Reviews

‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow’ by Gabrielle Zevin maintains 4.4/5 stars with 115,646 ratings. Many said they were hesitant to start it because they didn’t care much about video games but got pulled in by the characters, the story, and the themes.

“You don’t have to be a gamer to appreciate the pulsing heart of this best-seller.” – Harpar’s Bazaar

“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a decade-spanning feat in storytelling, switching perspectives as the story winds through the years.” -Elena Nicolaou, TODAY Show

“Utterly brilliant. In this sweeping, gorgeously written novel, Gabrielle Zevin charts the beauty, tenacity, and fragility of human love and creativity. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is one of the best books I’ve ever read.” -John Green, author of The Anthropocene Reviewed

How Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow Stands Out?

What makes this book stand out is that it doesn’t follow a simple or predictable path. It’s not a romance, even though love plays a big role in the story. It’s also not just about technology, though it focuses on how tech can shape the way we connect and create.

The book doesn’t fit neatly into one category or another, for that matter. Like the games’ character design, the story feels original, layered, and full of personal meaning.

Unlike many stories about creative work, it avoids turning deep friendships into quick arguments or easy endings.

The bond between the main characters changes in ways that feel true to life—messy at times, painful at others, but always honest.

It shows how long-term relationships evolve and still matter, even when they don’t follow a perfect or expected path.

Who Should Read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow?

This book is best suited for older teens and adults, as it focuses on mature themes that may be too intense for younger readers.

The story deals with heavy emotions like grief, trauma, and loss. These moments are written with care, but they can be deeply emotional and sometimes difficult to process.

There are also a few mentions of sexual content. While not graphic, these scenes are meant for a more mature audience. The book includes sensitive topics such as suicide and the emotional impact it has on those left behind.

It also addresses the realities of living with disability and chronic pain, offering an honest look at both the physical and emotional challenges that come with them.

Books Similar to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

If Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow left a strong impact on you, there are other books that offer a similar blend of emotion, creativity, and human connection.

1. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, which takes a look at second chances and the lives we could have lived.

2. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel also looks at art, memory, and survival in a world changed by loss.

3. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr spans different time periods and shows how stories connect people across generations.

4. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee follows a family through decades of change and struggle, offering emotional depth and rich character growth.

Each of these books shares something meaningful—whether it’s strong character bonds, thoughtful themes, or the lasting power of stories.

Conclusion

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow isn’t just a story about video games, but about the choices we make and the things we build with others—how those things shape who we are.

Through Sam and Sadie’s journey, we see the beauty and struggle of deep friendship. We see the highs and lows of working with someone you care about and the challenge of staying true to yourself.

The story feels real. It’s full of quiet, powerful moments that stay with you long after the book ends.

It reminds us that the most meaningful parts of life often come from what we create together. A game. A bond. A shared understanding.

If you want a story that’s thoughtful, emotional, and deeply human, this one is worth reading. It’s a story you won’t forget.

More from this Author

Gabrielle Zevin is an American novelist and screenwriter born in 1977.

Before achieving mainstream success with “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow,” she wrote several acclaimed novels for both adult and young adult audiences.

Her writing is known for its emotional intelligence and ability to capture complex human relationships.

If you liked ‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow,’ you will also like

• “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” (2014)
• “Young Jane Young” (2017)
• “Elsewhere” (2005)
• “Margarettown” (2005)

Each of Zevin’s books showcases her talent for combining emotional depth with intellectual playfulness, though “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” is widely considered her masterpiece.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow’ based on real video games?

The games in the book are made up, but they’re inspired by real gaming history. Gabrielle Zevin researched game design and development to make the gaming world feel real and believable.

Do I need to understand gaming to enjoy this book?

Not at all. You don’t need any background in gaming. The book explains ideas in a simple way and focuses more on friendship, creativity, and human connection than on technical details.

Will ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow’ be made into a movie?

Yes, the film rights have been purchased. However, as of early 2025, there’s no official release date or casting news. The project is in early stages, but many fans are excited to see it on screen.