The Bottom Line
Tomorrow takes place on one night, as the female narrator, Paula Hook, anticipates breaking some shocking news to her children on the titular day. The story, though, covers her lifetime and theirs, and the many events—big and small—that led to the present evening. Graham Swift’s writing is elegant and his ability to inhabit his characters is impressive and makes for a great novel.
Pros
- Graham Swift is a phenomenally talented writer, and his prose is precise and poetic
- Tomorrow is an absorbing novel, well-plotted with interesting characters
Cons
- The big secret comes off as more of a gimmick than a real tension-builder
Description
- Paula Hook, a middle-aged British woman, is preparing to break life-changing news to her children
- She reflects on her life before marriage as well as her relationship with her husband
- The big secret isn’t revealed until two-thirds of the way through the novel
Guide Review - Tomorrow by Graham Swift - Book Review
Tomorrow is the latest novel from Booker Prize-winning author Graham Swift. The story of the Hook family is narrated by the mother, over the course of one sleepless night. Paula reflects on her own childhood, her husband’s, and the story of their meeting, as well as the years they were married before having children.
Interestingly, the secret that Paula is planning to share, which Swift reveals three-quarters of the way through the book, may not be as shocking as the narrator—-or perhaps the author—-assumes.
Tomorrow shares much in common with a recent work by another British author, Ian McEwan’s On Chesil Beach. Both are masterfully and subtly written, and both use the experience of one night as a diving off point for exploring an entire era. Themes of sexuality, family ties, and communication permeate both books. That is not to compare them to each other, though. To do so would be impossible, and both are worth a reader’s attention.
