▶ Tap to play (60 seconds)
Quick verdict
Yes, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is well worth listening to: it is a warm, ambitious literary fiction novel about friendship, creativity and the games people play to stay connected. It runs long, but it earns its length with characters you come to care about deeply. If you want an audiobook that stays with you after the final chapter, this is a strong pick.
- Zevin’s 2022 novel follows a creative partnership across thirty years, from Cambridge to Venice Beach.
- The heart of the book is a friendship, not a plot twist, and that is why it lands.
- Two narrators, Jennifer Ikeda and Steven Pacey, give the leads distinct voices, which suits the dual-perspective story.
What it’s about
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a novel about two people who make games together and slowly learn what they mean to each other. Sam Masur and Sadie Green first bond over play as kids, lose touch, and then reconnect as young adults with a shared idea and a lot of talent.
From there, Gabrielle Zevin tracks their partnership through the excitement of building something new, the pressure of success, and the harder questions that follow: who gets credit, who gets hurt, and what it costs to make things with someone you love. Along the way, the novel explores ambition, identity, disability, and the human need to be understood.
The setting shifts from Cambridge to Los Angeles and beyond, and the game industry backdrop is vivid without ever becoming a manual. You can enjoy every page without having played a single title.
Why it works as an audiobook
This story suits audio because it is built on voices, banter and long emotional arcs that are easy to sink into during a commute or a long walk. The book is narrated by Jennifer Ikeda and Steven Pacey, and having two performers gives Sam and Sadie their own distinct presence rather than one reader doing both.
The dialogue is the real draw. Zevin writes quick, funny, sometimes prickly exchanges, and they sound natural aloud. The quieter passages, where the characters reflect on loss, creativity and time, also hold up well, because the pacing rewards a steady listen.
One tip: the book is a commitment, so it pays to listen in longer sessions at first. Once the characters settle in, it becomes very hard to put down. Some sections play with structure and perspective, and they come across surprisingly well in audio.
Who should read it
This audiobook is for anyone who loves character-driven fiction with emotional depth and a bit of humor. It is a great fit if you enjoy stories about creative collaboration, complicated friendships, or the way work and love get tangled together.
Gamers will spot plenty of knowing details, but non-gamers are just as welcome. If you prefer fast, plot-driven thrillers, the slower, reflective stretches may test your patience. If you like novels that let you live alongside characters for years, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is exactly that kind of listen.
Similar books
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt: an intense, literary tale of a close-knit group and the bonds that shape them.
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: a beautifully told story of devotion and partnership across a lifetime.
- Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: a fast, playful adventure for readers who like games at the center of the story.
FAQ
Who narrates the Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow audiobook? The audiobook is read by Jennifer Ikeda and Steven Pacey, who share the narration between them. Their two voices suit the book’s shifting focus between its main characters.
Do you need to know anything about video games to enjoy the book? No. Zevin explains game design through character and emotion rather than jargon, so the story works for gamers and non-gamers alike.
Is Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow a romance? Not in the usual sense. It is mainly a story about friendship, creative partnership and identity across three decades, and it doesn’t follow a standard love-story path.
More audiobook reviews
Browse all audiobook reviews · What to watch on Prime Video · Start a 30-day Audible trial
#ad · As an Amazon Associate, Elite Books earns from qualifying purchases and sign-ups.
