Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - A Biblioteca da Meia-Noite

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Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

A Biblioteca da Meia-Noite by Matt Haig

1340 reviews

emilyacv's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Id heard some polarizing things about this one… and I think my thoughts are just… meh. I found the concept interesting, if a little gimicky at times. The tone comes off preachy at times, and about halfway through it gets repetitive to the point that the overall message (which I think is very sweet & hopeful!) dulls out. I think I was just expecting more - I was hoping it would stick with me, make me think… but I got to the end and I was just like k. Love a little existentialism, as a treat, but it’s not one I’m going to re-read. Also, the “rules” for the past lives irritated me -

how come her body can remember how to swim/play an instrument/be in a certain shape depending on the life she is in, but it can’t remember how to be confident when giving a speech, use the polar bear protection equipment on the glacier etc??? And I just kind of got annoyed with her never knowing what was going on ever, although we kind of get an answer to that in the second last life when she slowly starts to fit in more and remember things as she ‘commits’ to the life. But the exposition got old fast.

if the concept intrigues you, I think it’s worth checking out (though see the content warnings) but don’t expect it to change your life.

Content Warnings

eabness's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book MIGHT prove insightful to a middle-schooler who has never been to therapy.
A cliche, heavy-handed metaphor on nearly every page, Haig attempts - desperately and ineffectively - to be as edgy and thought provoking as the philosophers he name drops in almost every chapter. Throughout this wholly predictable narrative, we learn nothing profound from the "trials" of our self-pitying "protagonist," and are left craving even a single reflection on the value of life or the mystery of death that we haven't heard a million times before.

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elsreads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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

4.25

such a wonderful book that’s really helped me reflect on my own life too and see the beauty in sadness and the power in living <3

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fluffy1st's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-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

3.0

Content Warnings

khayes2's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

I really enjoyed this! It kept me on my toes and was only cliché for a moment

Content Warnings

dkgreads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.5

This is one of those books that leaves you staring at the wall for untold minutes after you’ve finished it, trying to work through the emotions it’s left in its wake. So many thoughts. So many feels. Definitely recommend.

“If you aim to be something you are not, you will always fail. Aim to be you. Aim to look and act and think like you. Aim to be the truest version of you. Embrace that you-ness. Endorse it. Love it. Work hard at it. And don’t give a second thought when people mock it or ridicule it. Most gossip is envy in disguise. Keep your head down. Keep your stamina. Keep swimming . . .”

Content Warnings