After immensely enjoying The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, I picked up a copy of another book of Gabrielle Zevin, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.
Two nerds, Sam and Sadie, meet each other during their free childhood when Sam is in the hospital for a long time with a broken foot. Sadie visits him regularly. After he is discharged, they lose sight of each other again.
When they study, they meet again. Both are creative and fond of games. They decide to build a game. Marx, a friend, joins them in the role of producer.
The game becomes a huge success. They only needed the engine of an obscure friend of Sadie’s, Dov. He turns out to be an oppressive character, leading Sam into a deep depression, which strains the relationship between Sadie and Sam. The game’s sequel also becomes a success. They have since set up a company dedicated to building games. They move from Boston to LA. The relationship between Sam and Sadie remains platonic, going up and down in waves.
The company builds a game with a virtual world in which Sam and Sadie can express their free morals. For example, they create a world where same-sex marriage is not only accepted but celebrated. Sam plays the Mayor of this world. This controversial world leads to furious reactions in the real world from conservative groups who see it as an attack on traditional values. This gets out of hand, and one day, the company is raided, and Marx is shot.
The story devolves into a surreal, dreamlike narrative of how Marx lies in his hospital bed, trying to survive. Beautiful style reminiscent of Johnny Got His Gun, the intensely disturbing story about a soldier who wakes up in the hospital and finds that he has lost his sight and his arms and legs. The story about Marx is less disconcerting but beautifully written. The whole experience brings Sam and Sadie back together.
Not as weird as Fikry, yet equally enjoyable.