The Midnight Library – Matt Haig

This was my second book of 2021, and boy was it wonderful. I did see it featuring in a lot of peoples top books of 2020 and I was very wrongly worried it might fall victim to being over-hyped.

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

The first part of the book brings you straight away into Nora’s mind and her depressive thoughts. It was a little heavy hitting but I think done well! It explores her past, what her regrets are and fills in some of the other characters backstories.

Once we were introduced to the Library the story took a complete turn and it had me completely hooked, as if it were a thriller. I really loved exploring each one of Nora’s lives with her, the heartbreak, the discoveries and the disappointment. The descriptions were enthralling and captivating.

The overall message of this book was uplifting and beautiful. One that causes you to reflect on your life, your regrets and outlook. A story of hope, written exquisitely from start to finish. My first Matt Haig book, which I will be recommending to everyone and anyone. A big fat five out of five stars!

Have you read it? Drop me a comment with what you thought!