Synopsis & Basic Details

What is Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow about?

• A story of collaboration: The novel centers on the complex, decades-long relationship between two game designers, Sam Masur and Sadie Green, from their childhood meeting to their professional partnership.
• Exploration of creativity: It delves into the creative process of game design, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and personal sacrifices involved in bringing virtual worlds to life.
• Themes of connection and ambition: The narrative explores the intricacies of human connection, the pursuit of success, and the ways in which personal ambition can both fuel and strain relationships.

Why should I read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow?

• Unique perspective on gaming: The novel offers a fresh and insightful look into the world of video game design, exploring the creative process and the emotional investment involved.
• Complex character relationships: Readers will be drawn to the nuanced and evolving relationship between Sam and Sadie, as well as the supporting characters who influence their journey.
• Exploration of universal themes: The story delves into universal themes of love, loss, ambition, and the search for meaning, making it relatable to a wide range of readers.

What is the background of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow?

• Technological context: The story is set against the backdrop of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a period of rapid technological advancement in computing and gaming.
• Cultural context: The novel explores the cultural landscape of the gaming industry, highlighting the passion, creativity, and challenges faced by those who work within it.
• Personal histories: The characters' personal histories, including their childhood experiences and family dynamics, significantly shape their perspectives and motivations.

What are the most memorable quotes in Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow?

• "Time, Sam thought, was a mystery. But with a second's reflection, he thought better of such sentiment. Time was mathematically explicable; it was the heart—the part of the brain represented by the heart—that was the mystery.": This quote highlights Sam's analytical nature and the novel's exploration of the contrast between logic and emotion.
• "To design a game is to imagine the person who will eventually play it.": This quote speaks to the creative process and the empathy required to create meaningful experiences for others.
• "Always remember, mine Sadie: life is very long, unless it is not.": This quote, spoken by Sadie's grandmother, encapsulates the novel's themes of time, loss, and the preciousness of human connection.

What writing style, narrative choices, and literary techniques does Gabrielle Zevin use?

• Character-driven narrative: Zevin focuses on the inner lives and emotional journeys of her characters, using their perspectives to drive the plot forward.
• Non-linear timeline: The narrative shifts between different time periods, allowing for a deeper exploration of the characters' pasts and the evolution of their relationships.
• Use of gaming terminology and concepts: Zevin incorporates gaming terminology and concepts into the narrative, creating a unique and immersive reading experience.

Hidden Details & Subtle Connections

What are some minor details that add significant meaning?

• The Army Navy Surplus Store coat: The oversized, moldy peacoat that Sam inherits from Marx symbolizes Sam's attempts to conceal his insecurities and his childlike nature, while also connecting him to Marx's more worldly persona.
• The Magic Eye poster: The autostereogram poster in the train station represents the characters' shared experiences and the way they perceive the world, with Sam's inability to see the hidden image symbolizing his difficulty in connecting with others.
• The timesheet: Sadie's community service timesheet, initially a symbol of her good intentions, becomes a source of conflict and betrayal, highlighting the complexities of their friendship.

What are some subtle foreshadowing and callbacks?

• Sadie's "I died of exhaustion, following a snakebite": This seemingly throwaway line during her reunion with Sam foreshadows her later struggles with burnout and the emotional toll of her creative pursuits.
• Sam's comment about "not wanting to shoot the bison": This early reference to the game Oregon Trail foreshadows his later moral choices in game design and his desire to create games that are not just about violence.
• The mention of the "wrong square": Sam's comment to Sadie about her being in the "wrong square" foreshadows her later relationship with Dov and her feeling of being out of place.

What are some unexpected character connections?

• Freda and Dov: Both Freda and Dov, despite their different backgrounds, share a similar intensity and a strong sense of self, which influences Sadie's development.
• Marx and Alice: Although they only meet briefly, Alice's revelation to Sam about Sadie's community service project has a significant impact on Sam and Sadie's relationship.
• Anders Larsson and Sam: Sam's advisor, Anders, provides a crucial insight into Sam's relationship with mathematics, which ultimately leads him to pursue game design.

Who are the most significant supporting characters?

• Marx Watanabe: As Sam's roommate and later a producer for Unfair Games, Marx provides emotional support, practical assistance, and a different perspective on the creative process.
• Freda Green: Sadie's grandmother, Freda, is a source of wisdom and guidance, offering Sadie a unique perspective on life and relationships.
• Dov Mizrahi: As Sadie's mentor and lover, Dov has a profound impact on her creative development, but his influence is not without its complications.

Psychological, Emotional, & Relational Analysis

What are some unspoken motivations of the characters?

• Sam's need for validation: Sam's drive to create successful games is fueled by a deep-seated need for validation and a desire to overcome his past traumas and insecurities.
• Sadie's desire for independence: Sadie's ambition is driven by a desire to establish her own identity and to be recognized for her talent, separate from her relationship with Sam.
• Marx's need to care for others: Marx's actions are often motivated by a desire to support and protect those around him, stemming from his own privileged background.

What psychological complexities do the characters exhibit?

• Sam's self-destructive tendencies: Sam's tendency to push people away and his self-deprecating humor reveal a deep-seated fear of vulnerability and a struggle with self-worth.
• Sadie's fear of intimacy: Sadie's difficulty in forming lasting relationships and her tendency to prioritize her work over personal connections highlight her fear of emotional vulnerability.
• Marx's need for approval: Marx's desire to be liked and his tendency to overextend himself for others reveal a need for external validation and a fear of being alone.

What are the major emotional turning points?

• Sam and Sadie's fight over the timesheet: This moment marks a significant turning point in their relationship, revealing the underlying tensions and insecurities that have been simmering beneath the surface.
• Sadie's breakup with Dov: This experience forces Sadie to confront her own emotional vulnerabilities and to re-evaluate her priorities.
• Sam's visit to Sadie's apartment after her breakup: This moment marks a turning point in their relationship, as Sam's actions demonstrate his deep care for Sadie and his willingness to be vulnerable.

How do relationship dynamics evolve?

• From childhood friends to creative partners: Sam and Sadie's relationship evolves from a childhood friendship to a complex creative partnership, marked by both collaboration and conflict.
• The impact of success on their bond: The pressures of fame and fortune test the strength of their relationship, revealing the underlying tensions and insecurities that have been simmering beneath the surface.
• The enduring nature of their connection: Despite the challenges they face, Sam and Sadie's bond endures, highlighting the power of shared experiences and the human need for connection.

Interpretation & Debate

Which parts of the story remain ambiguous or open-ended?

• The nature of Sam and Sadie's relationship: The novel leaves the exact nature of Sam and Sadie's relationship open to interpretation, blurring the lines between friendship, love, and creative partnership.
• The long-term impact of their choices: The novel does not provide a definitive answer to whether Sam and Sadie ultimately achieve happiness or fulfillment, leaving readers to ponder the long-term consequences of their choices.
• The meaning of "play": The novel explores the concept of "play" in various contexts, but it does not offer a single, definitive interpretation, leaving readers to consider its multifaceted nature.

What are some debatable, controversial scenes or moments in Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow?

• Sadie's relationship with Dov: Sadie's affair with her professor, Dov, raises questions about power dynamics, consent, and the complexities of adult relationships.
• Sadie's community service project: Sadie's decision to log her time with Sam as community service raises questions about the nature of friendship and the ethics of volunteerism.
• Sam's use of the word "cunt": Sam's use of this word during his fight with Sadie is a controversial moment that highlights the intensity of their emotions and the complexities of their relationship.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Ending Explained: How It Ends & What It Means

• The ending is bittersweet: The novel concludes with Sam and Sadie continuing to work together, but their relationship remains complex and unresolved, reflecting the messy realities of human connection.
• The focus on the creative process: The ending emphasizes the importance of the creative process as a means of self-discovery and healing, suggesting that the journey is more important than the destination.
• The enduring power of play: The novel's conclusion underscores the enduring power of play as a means of connecting with others and finding meaning in a complex world.