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waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I also found it refreshing to read a narrative from the perspective of a female main character written by a man that felt like a real human woman could do or say the things he was describing. I really resonated with Nora’s struggle to find her place and purpose in this crazy, mixed up world we find ourselves in, a world which seemingly gets more crazy and more mixed up as time goes on.
I felt both seen and supported as Nora—sometimes harshly, sometimes gently—learns what she values, what she needs, what she wants, what she has to offer, and, most importantly, what she is worth, simply by being a human who exists and not what she can do or be for others.
In terms of technical writing aspects though, I feel that 95% of the book has clear, concise writing, which thankfully doesn’t sacrifice either sentimentality or periods of reflection that required for a narrative centered around depression and mental health recovery. The last few chapters seem a little bit shaky in terms of wrapping things up, but I also think this can be chalked up to Nora being on unsure footing as she enters a new phase of her life.
All in all, an excellent book that really hits close to home in the best possible ways. I definitely almost cried a few times. I can see why this book received so much good press when it first came out!
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Vomit
shorty0927's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Suicide, Death of parent, and Dysphoria
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, and Alcohol
druknduck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Minor: Animal cruelty
mariterry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty and Car accident
jjamescat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
squirrelygirlie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol
hrhjael's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
chookie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I decided to pick this book up on a whim several months after my entire life was tipped on its head and experienced several traumatic losses one after another and was beginning to lose myself again and sight of the point of waking up on the morning.
For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a morbid curiosity with the afterlife and “what if’s”. I’ve had to make several life altering decisions and sometimes I wonder what my life would’ve looked like if I had of made a different decision. I don’t consider these decisions regrets in the slightest but sometimes i just wonder how different my life could’ve look now if I made different choices.
This book explores the concept of regret and making the most out of the life you’re given. As someone who has also looked down the barrel of death on several occasions and toyed with the idea of not waking up in the morning, this book NAILS what it’s like to be faced with those choices and the difference between life and death.
Without spoiling anything I suggest that everyone reads this book, particularly if you’re feeling lost, in a dark place or navigating your 20s/midlife crisis. EVERYONE should read this book.
Was it perfect? No absolutely not. But was it honest? Yes. Did it tackle a topic of the human condition and struggles many people face at least once in their lives in a way anyone can understand and conceptualise? FUCKING YES
Do yourself a favour and read this book.
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
Atmosphere: 10/10
Intrigue: 7/10
Logic: 9/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Overall: 8.7/10
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Grief, and Death of parent
foxy_lady's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal cruelty and Cancer
ahopson's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Midnight Library is a novel about Nora Seed, who feels like her life has gone off track. She’s unhappy and filled with regrets, so she decides to end it all. But instead of dying, she wakes up in a mysterious place called the Midnight Library. This library is special because every book in it represents a version of her life, based on the different choices she could have made. Nora gets the chance to live out these alternate lives to see how things might have turned out if she'd made different decisions.
The book is really about dealing with regret and understanding that life is full of possibilities. Through Nora's journey, the story shows that no life is perfect, and it's okay to have made mistakes. The author, Matt Haig, uses this adventure to teach us that it's not about wishing for a perfect life, but learning to accept the one we have, flaws and all.
What makes this book relatable is that we’ve all wondered "what if?" at some point, wishing we had made different choices. The story offers hope and reminds us that the life we're living is enough, even if it’s not what we expected. The idea of the Midnight Library is pretty cool, and the story lets Nora explore a lot of different versions of her life, which I know many of us have wished we could do.
In the end, The Midnight Library is uplifting and helps us see that it’s okay to embrace the life we’ve chosen, even if it’s not perfect. It’s a good book for anyone who likes stories about second chances, finding peace with yourself, and seeing the world in a different way.
Overall Verdict:
The Midnight Library is an inspiring and thoughtful read. It’s a good mix of fiction and self-help, and it encourages you to appreciate the life you’re living, no matter how imperfect it might seem. If you’re into books about personal growth and second chances, this one’s worth reading!
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Medical content