Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - A Biblioteca da Meia-Noite

As someone who has struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts, the first half of the book was hard to read. It was too relatable in a way that felt unhealthy for me.
I like the ending and the message of the book.

Content Warnings

emilyacv's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

2024bookedup's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

zacyoung's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

cha_len_novels's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.5

rating: 3.5/5 ⭐

“Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?”
― Matt Haig, The Midnight Library

Content Warnings