The Midnight Library

Title: The Midnight Library

Author: Matt Haig

Genre: Magical Realism, Science Fiction

Pages: 288 pages

Synopsis:

‘Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?’

A dazzling novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived, from the internationally bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and How To Stop Time.

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?

In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig’s enchanting novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

The Midnight Library follows Nora Seed as she is going through a lot of mental health issues and she attempts suicide. However she is given an opportunity before she actually dies to explore the Midnight Library. A place where she can live all of the alternative lives that she could have lived.

The first thing I like about this book is it’s unique premise of being able to explore possible alternative lives. I also really like the use of Philosophy and Science throughout the book (Quantum Mechanics, and references to many Philosophers). I also liked how this book really handled regret.

I also like how this was pretty readable as I was able to get through this no problem. I also do like the accessibility of Matt Haig’s writing here.

However I do have some issues with this book. First off, I knew right off the bat what the ending was going to be like. I knew our main character was going to realize that her original life was the one that was worth living and that she was going to focus more on the good in her life. It was too predictable and lessened the tension in the story. The book kind of ended in a Christmas Carol or It’s a Wonderful Life kind of way.

This book also just didn’t blow me away. I did like this book a lot more than Assassin’s Apprentice. However it just didn’t blow me away.

Overall, The Midnight Library is an okay book that is worth reading if you want a quick read or just need a little self-help. The chapters are short, very readable and written well enough to make you turn the pages to the end.

Rating: