Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - The Midnight Library

Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

4161 reviews

emcat's review against another edition

3.75

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

Content Warnings

waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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!

Content Warnings

gabtheprotag's review against another edition

5.0

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

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