The Midnight Library
A Novel
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4.2 • 766 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
Between life and death there is a library.
When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she
has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of
misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself. But
things are about to change.
The books in the Midnight Library enable Nora to live as if
she had done things differently. With the help of an old friend, she can now
undo every one of her regrets as she tries to work out her perfect life. But
things aren’t always what she imagined they’d be, and soon her choices place
the library and herself in extreme danger.
Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question:
what is the best way to live?
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
It’s not every day that a novel makes us rethink life itself. Pushed to the limit, Nora has decided to end her life, but she isn’t prepared for what happens next: waking up in a library stacked floor to ceiling with books, each containing a different version of how her time on earth could have played out. With touching warmth and surprising whimsy, Matt Haig’s fantasy sweeps us up in Nora’s journey as she explores her potential paths, hoping to find the one that would have led to happiness and fulfilment. Of course, no life story comes without some struggle and sadness, and Haig’s novel constantly reminds us of that bittersweet, beautiful wisdom. Poignant, funny, and a little bit odd, The Midnight Library had us in tears—and we wouldn’t change a word.
Customer Reviews
Loved the Book!
Amazing read ! Super captivating and interesting take on how we perceive life and handle grief for the lives we imagined but we never got to experience
10/10
Such an incredible book, with such a beautiful message. I read it in two days and yet it will stick with me forever. Thank you Matt Haig
Abit too predictable, but may appeal to the right audiences
To be honest, I did not like this book. But at the same time I do respect the author and the story that was told.
On the first point - I think this book has an element of predictability that made it difficult for me to resonate with. I’ve seen this story a few times before, in a few different versions among pop culture and fiction. It doesn’t help that it was culturally very British, with a character that I don’t particularly resonate with.
At the same time reading this, I do see who the core audience is, and what the author is trying to convey to them. And as fictional as Nora is, I have encountered a few very real Noras in my life that could understand the appeal in this book’s story that I couldn’t.
So if by reading an apt description of this book, you feel like you are Nora in your own way of life, then I think this book will speak to you.