The Midnight Library - Matt Haig

The Midnight Library

By Matt Haig

  • Release Date: 2020-09-29
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 9,753 Ratings

Description

The #1 New York Times bestselling WORLDWIDE phenomenon

Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction | A Good Morning America Book Club Pick | Independent (London) Ten Best Books of the Year

"A feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits."—The Washington Post

The dazzling reader-favorite about the choices that go into a life well lived, from the acclaimed author of How To Stop Time and The Comfort Book.


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 blockbuster 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.

Reviews

  • Seemed so promising….but fizzled out

    3
    By Mordecai's The Best
    By the end of the book, I grew a slight disdain for Nora. She had endless possibilities at her fingertips. She got to go through many of those possibilities, none of which she really liked or wanted to stay in. Then by the end of the book she ends up right back where she started. The ending was lackluster to me for what was otherwise a really well thought out book.
  • Spellbinding and thought provoking

    5
    By Willi519
    Loved the story and the chance to think about life differently
  • Wonderfully life-affirming

    5
    By Spinnin' Wheeler
    A wonderful and important treatise on how each person's life is valuable right now, as it is, and how, even in our darkest hours, we can find a way out (or one will open up) that we never even considered before, as long as we focus on ourself and not on what we think others expect of us. A remarkable novel that vividly brought that point to life in a clever, insightful story. I recommended it to my sister, who then passed it on to my mom, who is now passing it on to my dad! It's so helpful for everyone, make sure you get a copy for yourself!!
  • Go Beyond Regrets: Finding Fulfillment in 'The Midnight Library'

    4
    By nftayyyy
    TLDR crowd; a profound look at how we have an infinite number of choices in life that can lead to a variety of possible life outcomes that we could live if we only think of the larger story we are telling by the small and large actions of everyday decisions. This is a wonderful book and reminder if you are feeling stuck in life, depressed, or even unsure of your current life. Longer review below: "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig is an extraordinary exploration of life's infinite possibilities and the profound impact of our choices. Haig's writing captivates readers, weaving a compelling narrative that challenges our understanding of existence and fulfillment. This book is not just a story; it's a profound philosophical journey that leaves an indelible mark on your soul. I will say that perhaps an actual paperback version might be easier to read. I usually read this with Apple Books as an eBook that I love (about that digital life). However, the chapters are broken apart within themselves to add more context to what is happening within that chapter which made it harder to follow along at times. The only reason to rate it 4 stars instead of 5 stars. For any one debating on reading this book here are some reasons you should below. Reasons to Read "The Midnight Library": -Profound Exploration of Choices ❤️: The book delves deep into the consequences of the choices we make, painting a vivid picture of the lives we could have lived. Explores the good, the bad, and the ugly side of those choices. It prompts readers to reflect on their own decisions and the paths left unexplored. -Emotional Resonance 💜: Haig masterfully captures the essence of human emotions, particularly the struggles of depression and the quest for purpose. This book might resonate with you in different seasons of your life and where you are at. Definitely, a book to read at different periods in life. Readers will find themselves profoundly moved by the protagonist Nora Seed's journey, making this a deeply emotional and relatable read. You even might know some Nora Seeds that could use this book too. -Philosophical Depth 💛: Through Nora's experiences in the Midnight Library, Haig raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of happiness, fulfillment, and the pursuit of the ideal life. Little choices have sometimes larger outcomes than we could have pictured which this book captures beautifully. The philosophical depth of the narrative invites readers to contemplate the complexities of their own lives. -Beautifully Crafted Characters 🧡: Nora Seed is a brilliantly crafted character, flawed and genuine, making her journey all the more poignant. The supporting characters add richness to the narrative, creating a tapestry of diverse lives and experiences. I love the fact that I think everyone who reads this will get pulled on different points and traits that they relate to which is hard to write in this way, so credit to Haig. -Life-Affirming Message 💙: At its core, "The Midnight Library" offers a life-affirming message about acceptance, self-discovery, and embracing the present moment. It reminds us that every life, regardless of its challenges, is worth living and that our existence is a tapestry of experiences, both good and bad. Maybe the point of this book is going to be more obvious to others and I think that is okay - there is still a beautiful message to create in your head that is worth reading about. -Accessible and Engaging 🖤: Haig's writing is accessible and engaging, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wide range of readers. The book's fluid prose and compelling storytelling ensure that readers are gripped from the first page to the last. Aside from the chapter breakdowns this was engaging to read even when the flow of the book dwindled at times.
  • Buy it

    5
    By Kpetey1
    Lovely!! So thought provoking
  • Worth the read

    5
    By @FreeePalISTINE
    Purely amazing.
  • Solid

    5
    By Todgsmith
    Most excellent! Worth th read!
  • Midnight Library

    2
    By Movies and Music Lover
    I thought this book was boring. Sorry... The character of Nora should have been more developed. I thought the ending wasn't very realistic. Mental health is typically very complex and not just neatly "fixed" like it was portrayed at the end of the book. The repetition (Olympian, glaciologist, rock star, etc.) was annoying. It seemed like the author was working hard to get a certain word count.
  • Life if for the libing

    5
    By Bogus program
    Makes me appreciate every aspect of living - the successes and the failures - every bit of living.
  • Amazing !

    5
    By GLAM_DOLL
    Did not disappoint! Exactly what I needed while at a crossroad in my own life !

Comments