Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

12 reviews

madmilliner's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • 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

5.0

This book is the hug and the cuppa that I desperately needed.

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spearly's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring 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

4.0

This novel didn't destroy me as thoroughly as I was expecting. Which is not a bad thing! Just not quite what I was expecting.

The first few chapters, the before, were difficult to read. Haig captured those feelings of despair, of loneliness, of emptiness exceedingly well. Too well, in fact, that I wondered if this was something I should really be reading. But as we explored more of Nora's infinite lives, the novel turned away from the deep dive into Nora's mental health issues and focused more on her what ifs, her potential, her choices. And while there were still very strong themes of depression in all her infinite lives, it was no longer the main focus, rather, these chapters delved into what Nora thought would make her happy. And she really tried it all.

Famous rockstar? check. Olympic swimmer? check. Married to the man she left at the alter? check. Living in Australia with her best friend? check...sort of. 

While this divergence was appreciated, I also felt this is where the story lost some of it's punch. I don't know... I feel bad even saying that because there was so, so much that I loved about this book.

I loved that even the most seemingly perfect life wasn't the answer Nora was looking for. Even when she begged and pleaded for it to be. I loved how small choices Nora never thought impacted anything came back around in her other lives in ways we didn't expect. I loved Nora's arc in general, honestly. I cried for her. I laughed with her. I cheered for her. 

A great read. Truly. 

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