Reviews tagging 'Vomit'

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

510 reviews

lindasoderlundd's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Cursing, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Medical content, and Car accident

gingerantics's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

5.0

I loved all of the philosophy. I loved the way Haig played with the many worlds interpretation. It’s a little bit (a very little bit) like It’s a Wonderful Life with the coolest library, but it’s so much more than that with all the academics. I love the perspective shift from worthlessness to potential. This is almost Sci-fi philosophy, but I love both, so I really enjoyed this book. Carey Mulligan was amazing and really brought the whole thing to life. This would be such a great group read book, because it’s such a conversation starter. I am so glad I decided to read this when I did.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Vomit

akjreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was magical to me. If you are feeling stuck in life or in any way cynical about the future, this will be a balm for your soul. I cried toward the end - and I am NOT a crier while reading. 
It may feel a bit repetitive in the middle, but keep going. It’s worth it in the end.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Suicide attempt

Minor: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Death of parent

alexisaflop's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

4.75

First of all this book does something that every other book I love doesn't do: has a proper ending that shows where the characters go. 
I really enjoyed the flow of the book and the metaphors that were consistent throughout but not overbearing and obvious. 
The only way I would change it would be how I found it odd she never tried a life twice. At the end she wanted one that was like the one with Molly but only slightly different. I thought she would try that with maybe the band one where she was happy but Joe was dead. Maybe she could have said, I choose to stay in the band and choose to get Joe into rehab or smth. 
It's only February but a strong contender for favourite book of the year.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Vomit

girlpuck's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, and Racism

frankiexxi's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

Eventhough as an adult you know where the book is going, and personally, it's a lesson that's been learned, this book is still a great reminder "we don't have to do everything in order to be everything...the prison isn't the place, but the perspective"

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Suicide attempt

kateywaldhart's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Moderate: Animal death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug use, Vomit, Stalking, and Car accident

bethughknee's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Vomit

kim_e_d's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol

Moderate: Animal death

Minor: Vomit