A review by pershie13
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-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

This book came into my life at the perfect time when I didn't know just how much I needed it. Matt Haig wrote this book beautifully, creating a compelling story full of philosophy, emotion, and color while teaching me lessons about myself and others. Nora Seed is unhappy in her life, so unhappy that she wants to leave her life behind. But in the Midnight Library, she has the chance to undo any regrets from her past and try to find her "perfect life." Through numerous trials and existences, Nora begins to understand pieces of herself and develop a different view of her life. I see myself as Nora sometimes. I see myself as someone who tends to question the decisions I've made and regret things I have or have not done in my life. Life is messy, but there is also beauty among the mess. Despite regrets and mistakes, as Mrs. Elm says to Nora in the Midnight Library, "Sometimes the only way to learn is to live."

This book teaches lesson after lesson through philosophy, empathy, and emotion. It has both dark and light themes attached, and it makes you feel for Nora and the characters while making you question the way you are living your own life. I have not read a book that made me think this much in a long time, and I think I will take many lessons from this book and use them as reminders to live life with no regrets, lead a life full of compassion, and to use my perspective to consider all the possibilities that life brings. The Midnight Library is a book that I hope to come back to over and over again, and I believe it could be life changing for people in all walks of life. This is an automatic five stars as one of the best books I have ever read!
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