A review by emilyacv
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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.
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