Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

378 reviews

lindasoderlundd's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25


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yogabbygabby19's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


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waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The plot of The Midnight Library is best described as It’s a Wonderful Life meets Quantum Leap with a dash of Back to the Future, and Matt Haig expertly melds and melts the various tropes found within these three pieces of media into his own unique narrative. I have great familiarity with all three pieces of media, and I was pleased to find that Haig does not rely on prior knowledge in order to enjoy his work. In fact, I found the Easter eggs quite delightful!

I also found it refreshing to read a narrative from the perspective of a female main character written by a man that felt like a real human woman could do or say the things he was describing. I really resonated with Nora’s struggle to find her place and purpose in this crazy, mixed up world we find ourselves in, a world which seemingly gets more crazy and more mixed up as time goes on.

I felt both seen and supported as Nora—sometimes harshly, sometimes gently—learns what she values, what she needs, what she wants, what she has to offer, and, most  importantly, what she is worth, simply by being a human who exists and not what she can do or be for others.

In terms of technical writing aspects though, I feel that 95% of the book has clear, concise writing, which thankfully doesn’t sacrifice either sentimentality or periods of reflection that required for a narrative centered around depression and mental health recovery. The last few chapters seem a little bit shaky in terms of wrapping things up, but I also think this can be chalked up to Nora being on unsure footing as she enters a new phase of her life.

All in all, an excellent book that really hits close to home in the best possible ways. I definitely almost cried a few times. I can see why this book received so much good press when it first came out!

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gabe_escobedo's review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.5


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kim_e_d's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Plot : A woman who has lost everything attempts suicide and finds herself in a limbo in which she can experience the lives she didn't choose. 

Impressions : I really liked the concept, but the execution is a little simplistic and the end is predictable.
There also are some massive plot holes. 
1. The main Nora enters the lives of alternative Noras, who stay dormant. But what happens to the alternative Noras should she choose to stay? She is stealing someone else's life. Even though this is hinted at towards the end through a sense of guilt, the alternative Nora's fate isn't mentionned. 
2. If in every life trajectory she is unhappy, needs anti-depressants, and drinks too much, then what pushes her to continue exploring after the third life?
 
Even though I love the idea, the development quickly feels like clutching at straws. 

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carmen391's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Creo que este libro llevaba como 3 años en mi librero 🤣🤣🤣 sumamos otro más completado para sacarlo de mi lista de libros sin leer de mi librero.

Ahora mis impresiones 👇🏻
La premisa es bien interesante, el hecho de tener una librería llena de tus vidas paralelas y que podas vivirlas. Me gusta que después de cada vida hubo una lección y que se hiciera una reflexión. 

Una frase que me gustó un montón es:
"You don't have to understand life, you have to live it." No tienes que entender la vida, solo tienes que vivirla. A veces es así de sencillo, asumo yo. 

Este es un buen libro si se está buscando algo sencillo en que reflexionar. 👍🏻🤔😄

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esv_'s review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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vic_to_ria's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was beautiful. 

A Christmas Carol type storyline that follows a woman on the verge of death being given a chance to see what life could have been if things went a little differently. How no matter how bleak and dark your life may seem little everyday changes can be made to create an entirely new adventure. 

The story’s premise was the character learning to understand that you don’t need to understand life to live it, and that there is always going to be bad things mixed in with the good around you. 

Our main character was so well written you can see the slow progression throughout each alternate lifetime and how each one impacted her. 

I think this book is something everyone can relate to, as who hasn’t thought of the “what ifs” in life, all the “shoulda, coulda, woulda’s” and how different your life would be like if you did one thing different at the right moment. How much potential we have and how following it will shape our lives. 

I would 100% recommend. 

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skzvsoom's review against another edition

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

4.5


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ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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