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alexisaflop's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
First of all this book does something that every other book I love doesn't do: has a proper ending that shows where the characters go.
I really enjoyed the flow of the book and the metaphors that were consistent throughout but not overbearing and obvious.
The only way I would change it would be how I found it odd she never tried a life twice. At the end she wanted one that was like the one with Molly but only slightly different. I thought she would try that with maybe the band one where she was happy but Joe was dead. Maybe she could have said, I choose to stay in the band and choose to get Joe into rehab or smth.
It's only February but a strong contender for favourite book of the year.
I really enjoyed the flow of the book and the metaphors that were consistent throughout but not overbearing and obvious.
The only way I would change it would be how I found it odd she never tried a life twice. At the end she wanted one that was like the one with Molly but only slightly different. I thought she would try that with maybe the band one where she was happy but Joe was dead. Maybe she could have said, I choose to stay in the band and choose to get Joe into rehab or smth.
It's only February but a strong contender for favourite book of the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
bbbbirthe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
swamphouse's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another review called it a ‘self help book in disguise’ and I would tend to agree. But it’s not just that. It was a good story despite the darker subject matter. A quick read that was rich with descriptors and characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
emcat's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
kaydio's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
The plot of The Midnight Library is best described as It’s a Wonderful Life meets Quantum Leap with a dash of Back to the Future, and Matt Haig expertly melds and melts the various tropes found within these three pieces of media into his own unique narrative. I have great familiarity with all three pieces of media, and I was pleased to find that Haig does not rely on prior knowledge in order to enjoy his work. In fact, I found the Easter eggs quite delightful!
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!
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!
Content Warnings
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
robwoodry's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It was a bit predictable, but the prose was well written. And it was a lovely story. A love letter to living.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
gabtheprotag's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is life changing, especially if you're going through a dark time, questioning life or your own self-worth. It's Sylvia Plath's 'fig analogy' summed up in a novel, but with a bit less existential dread and a bit more inspiration. The character's journey made me examine my own life journey and have a bit more hope in it after. Matt Haig is a commander of emotions and inspiration, in such a inner light-recognizing (yet still very emotional/see warnings) way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death and Mental illness
mandiymand's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
barbossas_hat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt