What have I been reading?...in short
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig
Fantasy Fiction
A delightful short novel which fictionally explores life, death and what's in between.
The story is along the lines of 'Sliding Doors' and 'It's a Wonderful Life where the author focuses on our worth in life. It tackles issues of the negative conotations of regret, depression and suicide, sounds dark I know but actually, in a strange sort of way, the book is uplifting and you feel better for having read it.This novella will leave you pondering on regrets of your own, realising how futile they may me. So although it sounds dark, it's actually a celebration of lifes endless possibilities.
Following some difficult periods of grief, Nora Seed struggles to find her place and acknowledge her worth, she feels unacomplished, making life seem unmanageable. Then she enters 'The Midnight Library' where time stands still. The library is filled with an infinite number of books, each depicting an alternative life Nora could have led and slowly she begins to see herself in a different light and learns to look at life more positively, shedding the many regrets that have weighed her down. Mrs Elm, the librarian, offers Nora the opportunity to experience how life would be had she made different choices and the impact those decisions would have had on the lives of others. it's really quite a thought provoking read which causes you to reflect on your own worth, the decisions you've made and the people you've impacted along the way. The book hi-lights that there is no one perfect existence and that lifes journey is littered with challenges regardless of choices made.
I thought this was a great read and have recommended it to many, all of whom have loved it. It only takes a few days to read (I finished it in two), so why not give it a go... you won't regret it!
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