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 new 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.
MY THOUGHTS:
One of the loveliest books I have read in a long time! The Midnight Library is a magical, captivating and delightful book about 35 year old suicidal Nora who feels as though she has no purpose and has let everyone down. Before she reaches death she happens across the Midnight Library where she can choose to correct any of her past regrets and experience the different outcome. If she can experience a life that makes her realise that life is worth living, she will be able to return. Haig does a wonderful job of portraying mental health issues and creating a truly enchanting experience of the in-between life and death stage.
Have you ever felt the dread of the idea that you could have done something different with your life if you made one different choice? That you could have been someone better? Maybe happier?
The novel explores the concept of parallel lives and the butterfly effect as Nora seeks the life that makes her truly happy. I found this to be such an interesting premise and was excited to see how Haig could explore this through the novel without it being repetitious. I was not disappointed!
I got completely swept away in Nora's alternate lives and I literally couldn't put this book down. It was such a magical experience following Nora's dreams of becoming a rockstar, glaciologist, a pub owner and living in Australia.. as well as all the other possibilities. It undoubtedly made me somewhat reflect on my own life choices. What are we really searching for in life? Surely we have the potential to be anyone and do anything our heart desires? This book shows us that there will always be love, hope and something to be grateful for.
A truly heartwarming, magical and thought-provoking book about life, death and everything in between.
Many thanks to Clare Conville and Cannongate for sending me this book ahead of the publication date in exchange for an honest review.
AUTHOR:
Matt Haig is an author for children and adults. His memoir Reasons to Stay Alive was a number one bestseller, staying in the British top ten for 46 weeks. His children’s book A Boy Called Christmas was a runaway hit and is translated in over 40 languages. It is being made into a film by Studio Canal and The Guardian called it an ‘instant classic’. His novels for adults include the award-winning How To Stop Time, The Radleys and The Humans.
He won the TV Book Club ‘book of the series’, and has been shortlisted for a Specsavers National Book Award. The Humans was chosen as a World Book Night title. His children’s novels have won the Smarties Gold Medal, the Blue Peter Book of the Year, been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal three times.
Published 13th August by Canongate Books Hardcover | £16.99