The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
A journey for self-discovery and the potential for happiness.
This is a book about searching and longing, and one about truth and self discovery. But, at its soul is a book about life - regrets, love, hope, potential, and ultimately what matters most in life. I don’t like to put spoilers in my reviews, so I really struggled with this one, because it really is all about the specific, intricate scenes and moments of this book that put you on the path to understanding.
Throughout life, I think it’s safe to say that many people question decisions they have made and wonder how things might have been different if just one little thing had been different, one little choice was altered. What then? Would life be better? Would it be worse?
Nora is on this journey. She’s a struggling woman who is dealing with depression and massive amounts of regrets and what-ifs. It is when she decides that the world would be better without her, that she starts her journey to figure out what it is she really wants; to live or to die? What comes about is the power in understanding the magic that life truly does hold.
As a character, Nora is well developed. Even as she explores all the different directions her life could have gone, she remains the same character with the same emotional and mental struggles. One who finds something wrong about every possible life; a glass half empty kind of woman. While I understand her character and where she’s coming from, I still found it slightly challenging to connect with her.
As a reader, you are thrown into some philosophical debates about life, and what it means to be happy. It was during my own internal reflection that this disconnect was created between me and Nora. Life is never going to be perfect. No matter how many different versions of your life you experience or consider, there will be aspects of life that bring pain, hurt, sadness and longing. I got frustrated that it was taking her so long to get to that realization. And, I then felt bad that I didn’t have more patience for her.
The story itself was very well created and innovated. Taking a very serious topic and presenting it in a very approachable manner. Nora’s different lives are diverse, and all build toward the ultimate self discovery Nora has at the end of the book. One of the things I liked best about how the story progressed was that it built towards an ending that was what I was hoping for. I was so happy that she learned the lessons about life that she did and was able to come to terms with who she and the ups and downs that life offers.
There were points where the writing could have taken a very fictional, unrealistic turn, which would be understanding since this is a work of fiction, but instead it was uncomfortable and at points cringeworthy as Nora struggles and stumbles through the experiences she has during her stay at the Midnight Library. These are the feelings that you would expect to feel while supporting the whole theme and moral of the book - Life is not easy or pretty. Life, as Nora comes to learn, is a “beautiful, messy struggle.”
But, in the end Nora learns, and grows and discovers the hard truths about life and that “you don’t have to understand life, you just have to live it.” Her internal conflict is so strong it’s tangible, but even though she had to come to terms with her own regrets, thoughts, and pain, there is a cast of supporting characters that are wonderful in guiding her.
The Midnight Library is full of wisdom and moving perspectives about life. It's a book that was obviously written by someone who has thought deeply about life and learned how to take life and find all the potential for happiness that it contains. This is why I think there will be so many different thoughts on this book.
People are in different places in their lives, have experienced different things, understand and perceive happiness and meaningfulness differently. But, I do think that everyone has regrets, but everyone processes them differently, everyone reacts to life’s struggles and challenges differently. A thought-provoking book this is, 100%.
Where is this book on my bookshelf?
Probably on the middle shelf. I enjoyed it. I recommend it. I am glad I read it. I am still thinking about it afterwards. But, I don’t think I will read it again. I have had many challenges and ups and downs in life. There have been moments where I think about my regrets and have thought they were bigger than me and completely insurmountable. Times when I didn’t think it was possible that life would be ok and things would work out, but I didn’t give up. I didn’t want Nora to give up. I don’t want anyone to give up. So, maybe it’s because of my own life and how I feel that caused me to struggled a little, but man, it’s so worth the read. Books that make you think, wonder, debate, reflect and even defend certain beliefs and behaviors are so powerful. Not only in self reflection and self improvement, but in creating and supporting the ideals of empathy and understanding in others, and honestly, right now, our world needs more of those things.