The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

*spoiler-free*

The Midnight Library is a fantasy fiction book detailing the story of Nora Seed. Nora has always faced struggles throughout her life, having regrets and being full of disappointment to the point where she decides to end her life. However, something unexpected happens just before her life is over, and she is transported to a library, where her librarian from school is there to guide Nora through her next set of adventures. Even from the blurb of this book, I was hooked by the story, and it quickly climbed up my ‘to be read’ list even though I only discovered Matt Haig recently.

I really liked the format of the book as it is separated into very short chapters as well as stories and snippets from different times in Nora’s life making it easy to continue reading. Several times I told myself I would read “just one more chapter” but I would continue reading more and more. Even from the first chapter, the reader gauges Nora’s philosophical yet blunt view of the world. Initially, I thought this was going to be quite a heavy book as you are quickly thrown into discussions surrounding the meaning of life and death, however, this was mixed with humour, adventure and romance, without being cliché. The start of The Midnight Library is rather melancholy, as evident in the book’s blurb, but this does progress into a heart-warming story.

Haig has written The Midnight Library beautifully, with alluring metaphors and descriptions, particularly of the library itself. The concept of the ‘in-between’ was especially intriguing as I quite like the idea of there being something after death that isn’t particularly related to religion or philosophy, and that everybody’s library would be different, and possibly not a library at all but whatever is personal to the individual. The book talks of the multiverse, and how there are an infinite number of universes happening simultaneously so therefore Nora can flick between lives but it is important to remember that she is not invincible in these other lives.

It was safe to surmise the little-known realities of the multiverse probably weren’t yet incorporated within the care plans of the national health service.

The Midnight Library., p275

Haig wrote at a steady pace, giving enough time and detail to each life Nora experienced but quickly moved on to the next. Even though I assumed it would take Nora some time to decide which life she would choose, or if she would choose life at all, every time she would unexpectedly disappear from a life I felt sad for her and hoped she would find the right life for her. From this, you can feel the frustration Nora is going through when she is struggling in each of her different lives, often faced with depression still despite having any choice of life in her library. I also found other characters in the book to be written very well, such as Mrs Elm, Hugo and Ash.

After finishing the book, I researched Matt Haig and saw he has suffered from mental health problems. This explains why The Midnight Library’s discussion of these topics was accurate, and I did not feel like any advice given to Nora was patronising or written falsely. The article I read about Matt Haig can be found here. Whilst I found the wider storyline mildly predictable, I still cannot fault how Haig bought Nora, as well as the reader to her ultimate destination. Haig pairs something so magical and fantastical with something serious like mental health, bringing fiction and reality together in one book. This has definitely helped get mental health the exposure it deserves in today’s society. I 100% recommend this book and is a heart-warming, thought-provoking 5-star read that anyone can enjoy.

5/5 stars