Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Just finished. Why is my face all wet?

Coming back to write more.

The idea that you need to be into gaming or computers or tech to enjoy this book is just utter nonsense. I imagine if it were about cooking or medicine or law and had the same level of granularity, no one would make that claim. I am certain that knowing games adds depth and texture and that you understand that part of it better, but the human story – of people not communicating, of people struggling with private demons and painting their insecurities and pains onto the motivations of others is so so so universal.

Dirty, embarassing secret: I used to watch soap operas. It was endlessly frustrating to see how the main conflict driver was almost always SECRETS. The thing is that usually the CONTENT of the secret was never as damaging as the ACT of keeping the secret. Obviously, there are some exceptions, but generally, over the long arcs, people who love you, will still love you, and, given the chance, will share your burden and ease your load.

More generally, misunderstandings are often the product of a particular kind of secret – the ones that are basically personal shames (or traumas) that are unresolved. We don't want to admit our fears, our perceived weaknesses, so we make unflattering assumptions and project our worst fears onto others. And, at least in Zevin's world, those assumptions are so often COMPLETELY, UTTERLY WRONG. And so so much pain could be avoided.

But her characters grow. You watch them grow. You are helpless as they waste so much time making cruel (to themselves and others) assumptions, and acting on those assumptions. The last quarter of this book (everything after YOU KNOW WHAT) just fricking wrecked me. I still can't 100% articulate all the reasons why, but I will just say that this book is about how to grow. And how to live life well. LIFE, and life, and Life. Despite being flawed in all the ways we are all flawed.

Will probably try The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry once I am emotionally recovered.

Also, #Marx4ever.