[Book] The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - #24 in Fiction 📚
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - Book Review
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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is an incredibly powerful story, especially considering Haig’s personal struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. This context gives an added depth to Nora’s journey, making her experiences and feelings all the more authentic and convincing.
While the premise might initially seem like a modern-day version of It’s a Wonderful Life, with Nora exploring alternate versions of her life, the two stories are distinct. Nora doesn’t witness a world without her but lives out different versions of her life, emphasizing how each choice creates ripples in the world around her. What stands out is how Haig uses the library to explore the idea that making different choices doesn’t always lead to a “better” life. He suggests that even the smallest decisions can have profound consequences, and there’s no such thing as a singular “right” or “wrong” choice. It’s a poignant way of pushing back against the notion of regrets.
The book also serves as a sensitive portrayal of depression. Nora’s recurring return to the library, justifying her decision to end her life despite evidence of hope and possibility, is a stark reminder of how irrational depression can be. Haig makes Nora’s feelings deeply relatable—empathizing with someone who feels hopeless isn’t easy, but Haig’s personal experience allows him to show us exactly how it feels to be trapped by the chemical imbalances in the brain.
Though it’s challenging to sit with Nora’s raw emotions and despair, it’s also rewarding to see her gradual redemption. Her journey is a reminder for anyone struggling with depression that those dark thoughts are lies. The Midnight Library offers a much-needed message of hope: even if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s still there, and you have more influence on others’ lives than you might realize.
Carey Mulligan’s performance in the audiobook is outstanding. She brings Nora’s emotions to life with nuance, making it easy to follow her emotional ups and downs across various lives. Mulligan’s voice is soothing yet engaging, and while it may not enhance the story, it certainly makes it easier to experience.
I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone considering it, especially for those wrestling with regrets or wondering about the impact of their choices. It’s a thoughtful, comforting exploration of life's complexities and the importance of persistence.
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