The Midnight Library: With Infinite Choices, What Is the Best Way to Live?

The Midnight Library is a novel written by Matt Haig, which explores the concept of regret in a unique and fantastical way.

The story takes place in Bedford, United Kingdom and starts with a look at Nora Seeds’ life. Her life is not a desirable one, given that she has been through traumatic events such as losing her father at a young age and having to cancel her wedding due to her mother’s passing. She is also disconnected from her brother and best friend, making her cat her only companion. On top of these, she gets fired from her low-paying job, which is later followed by the death of her cat. Since she has no hope for the future, she decides to end her life. However, the story does not end there. In the author's own words, “Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices…”(Haig 29). Soon after, Nora switches between different lives in an attempt to make up for her regrets. Thereupon, find a life she is happy with.

I've found Nora’s journeys from one life to another to be both interesting and engaging. Also, as I watched her go through various scenarios, I couldn't help but question my past actions throughout the book. Not to mention Matt Haig's captivating storytelling, in which emotions are portrayed so deeply and thoughts are expressed without any intervention that it creates a connection between you and the main character. With its plot being so simple yet unusual and attention-grabbing, it offers a worthwhile read that is easy to follow. Overall, I highly enjoyed reading The Midnight Library from the first to the last page, and though you should check its trigger warnings first, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new read.

Citations:

Haig, Matt. The Midnight Library. Cannongate Books, 2020.