Reviews

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

haleycanread's review against another edition

reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

Minor: Self harm

peachybee53's review against another edition

5.0

Firstly, this book needs a content warning - for suicide, suicidal thoughts, self harm, depression, existential dread, death of loved ones, all the big things. I would not recommend this book to someone in a vulnerable mental state.

I don't remember ever feeling such a duality of emotions from a book. Awe, gratitude and nihilism all at once. This book will both force you to notice the magic around you and remind you of your utter insignificance.

10/10, life-changing.

alexisweigel's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars. This book was really different than I expected. I thought there would be more fantasy, but it was more magic realism. Also, the book is quite heavy which I did not expect. The ending was really well executed and I think my consensus is that I do like this book haha.

dietsmarrissjohnson's review against another edition

hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

frodosboyfriend's review against another edition

hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide attempt

gabrielle_erin's review against another edition

2.0

This story was oddly reminiscent of Eleanor Oliphant for me, so not surprisingly, I really didn't enjoy it very much. Once again, I have fallen victim to the interesting premise of a book that turns out to be a wishy washy literary fiction. Haig's writing was so bland and the storyline felt redundant to me. Took me weeks to get through because I *literally* kept falling asleep and had to keep going back.

babs_wilgus's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is a re-read, so nothing was a surprise for me. 
When I first read this book, in 2021, I was severely depressed and passively suicidal. When I started it I even thought to myself “I don’t think I should be reading this right now”- but I did, and I’m very glad of it, because it was one of many lifelines for me on my path back out.
I’m not in that place anymore. Even in dark days I still want to live. I still very much love life. But I have always wanted to come back to this novel and see if, from a different place, it still held as much meaning for me.
I’m so pleased to say that it does. The meaning for me in this book lies in its infinite possibilities. Yes, it’s not the most well written book of all time. I don’t even care. The visuals of the library, the notion of all those lives out there but for a “what if”… the possibilities. That’s why I love it.

sami33's review against another edition

5.0

good book! it’s definitely different from the other books i’ve read this year. it’s written nicely and the story is very interesting, i couldn’t put it down. lots of life lessons in there!!

kailey_jo's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

4.25

gwen_k67's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0