My feelings about this novel are all over the place!
I am a big fan of Gabrielle Zevin, and made a point to hear her talk in person about this novel. The themes that she talked about and explores in this book are so profound. What stood out for me during her talk was the idea of “new people” meaning those who don’t follow outdated ideas about the ‘right’ or ‘traditional’ life paths. She referenced the reactions to her NYT Modern Love article (The Secret to Marriage is Never Getting Married) being an impetus, which I highly recommend reading. That anyone could tell you you don’t know real love unless you are married, or have children, or, or, or… is incredulous. This book really made me think about whether you’re greatest love is necessarily a romantic one. What makes it real, or valid?
So, I went in with HIGH expectations. Also, on paper, I am the perfect audience for this book. I am of the Gen X/Oregon Trail gaming generation, even though I was a Kings Quest girl (which we talked about at her reading!!). And that grabbed me initially: the nostalgia, as well as the complexity of Sam and Sadie’s relationship, the extraneous relationships that shaped them, and of course Zevin’s use of symbolism, metaphor and her poignant prose.

“This is what time travel is. It’s looking at a person, and seeing them in the present and the past, concurrently. And that mode of transport only worked with those one had known for a significant time.”

Ultimately, I felt as if things began to drag about halfway through, even with some shocking turns that should have picked up the pace. The narrative started to feel

repetitive. It IS the nature of their relationship, but my empathy and investment fizzled, unfortunately. l've seen

commentary that it tackles too many issues, but I didn't feel that at all. Intersectionality is a thing, and the events did not seem beyond the realm of possibility (I mean just look at the domestic terrorists running roughshod over our country, most recently in Cincinnati). It just didn't pull things together in a way that I felt satisfying.

I would absolutely still

recommend this book, as I think it is so worth reading and reflecting upon. It just didn't hit that five star feeling for me.