Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Sadie and Sam are two kids in a hospital - dreary, white, cold-smelling, filled with concerned adults, and a stark contrast to the colorful escapes that are the video games in the entertainment room. Until they’re not kids anymore, but college students, out of touch for years, and just happening upon the same train station. This chance encounter is the start of their legendary collaboration as the masterminds who would go on to produce classics such as Ichigo as well as a hugely politically relevant MMORPG. Unfortunately, however their success may look to the outside, within their private worlds sexism, violence, grief, and conflict reign alongside the high points of their careers.
This book was incredibly interesting and well-written. I found myself wanting to become a video game programmer at one moment and wishing the imaginary games were real to wanting to cry the next. Though I would not characterize it as perfect, with a slow start and in my mind a rather unsatisfying ending, it was one of the best things I’ve read in a long time. I would give it five stars.