Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

Die Mitternachtsbibliothek by Matt Haig

351 reviews

lambclown's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

honestly this was pretty comforting to listen to, as someone who struggles with constant regret over what "could have been", and s*icidal ideation. some parts were a bit cliche and corny, but i deserve to indulge in a mainstream feel-good book from time to time!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

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

Minor: Alcoholism and Cancer

allison_j's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

4.0

I always love a good multiverse story. BUT, I am very picky with them. With Midnight Library I felt like it did the multiverse magical realism balance really well! I really enjoyed how the ending turned out, and instead of aiming for perfection the MC instead embraced the uniqueness that steam from her root life. There were a few things that I felt left with me with more questions than answers-- namely Hugo and his addition to the story. But overall I found this story really enjoyable without being over-the-top.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

josbookcorner's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Usually I don't read these types of books, but Matt wrote this book so well. He had me rooting for Nora the entire time. 

The concept of the book is so cool. It made me really think about my life and the decisions I've made. The message of overcoming regrets shines throughout the entire story. It was beautiful reading about Nora discovering herself and her will to live.

Something I didn't like about this book was the language. I know it is an adult novel, but I found the swearing to be excessive and usually unnecessary. There were also various parts of the book that made me uncomfortable. So if you're a sensitive reader, this book isn't for you.

Overall, I give this book a 4.5/5 stars. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Drug use, Self harm, Stalking, and Death of parent

gabbyolsen's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.0

Interesting concept. Poor execution. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Car accident

ksmith_23's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

anicatiu's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring 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

3.0

As you read, it plays out in your mind like a movie. To be honest, it feels more like reading a script rather than a novel. For me, the story was a bit too cliche but nonetheless enjoyable 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Vomit, and Death of parent

theopenbookslady's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

Me he dado cuenta que me resulta complicado calificar este tipo de libros que tienen un mensaje más ¿profundo? Sobre temas fuertes como la salud mental y decisiones en la vida que son importantes para cada persona, porque dependiendo del momento de tu vida en el que estés, libros como The midnight library, o incluso el propio alquimista, te van a parecer maravillosos y volverse tus favoritos, o los vas a encontrar aburridos y sin sentido.

Para mí este libro me dejó muchas cosas que reflexionar, y aunque es verdad que hubo instantes, ya casi al 79% de la lectura o incluso más, que decía: chica, pero la respuesta es obvia, date cuenta!?!?!?!?!, entiendo que estando en el momento de la “vida” que la protagonista atraviesa en esta historia, es muy difícil entender y ver lo obvio.

Le estoy dando 3.5 porque lo leí en un momento donde me ayudó mucho a entender cosas de mi vida que tenía en un rincón ocultas por lo “obvias” que estas eran, y porque sé que la reflexión final quedará en mi mente por un buen rato.

Eso sí, si lo que buscan es una novela entretenida y que no les haga bolas la cabeza con paradojas y reflexiones importantes, creo que es mejor saltarse esta lectura por el momento.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal death and Cancer

kastix's review against another edition

dark hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

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

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

yayarose's review against another edition

emotional inspiring 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

4.25

I loved the philosophical take on what happens after death while the character learns to love her life again and fight to stay. It was a really nice and reflective read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content

Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Car accident

cassiacow's review against another edition

emotional 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

3.75

This book has such an interesting premise - a Library where you can read all of your alternate lives. 

I personally found the writing style a bit too 'simple' - much like Coelho's The Alchemist, it is clearly written as a self-help book under a superficial story. The philosophy that was discussed also didn't resonate with my particular brand of depression - but it was still interesting to read through the lens of someone with different struggles to me.

However, this was such an easy read and one that definitely could help someone reading it at the right time - if you are paralysed by regrets about your life, for example, this book is definitely worth a read. I read it at a time when I've been feeling very unsure about my future, at the recommendation of a friend - and I can see how it would help some people in that scenario, but I don't feel I got as much out of it as some people did.

Overall, really enjoyed this book! Definitely a quick easy one that anyone feeling a bit lost can try.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Vomit