Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Die Mitternachtsbibliothek by Matt Haig

1497 reviews

arlorees's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

2.75

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, and Death of parent

Minor: Homophobia and Self harm

emmaanderbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

2.75

Maybe I’m not the target audience for this book, so keep that in mind, but the symbolism was just a bit too basic and wishy washy for my liking. I felt as though I knew where each chapter was going and it was, at times, laborious to push through. I would have appreciated the opportunity to get to know the side characters more, rather than flitting around her “other” lives to see what could have been and what, ultimately, was not going to work for her. I know that wasn’t the point of this novel, but I just think it would have been richer for it had we been given the opportunity to experience the love she clearly had for her family and friends. Lastly, I feel the ending was painfully cliche, rushed, and tied up with a neat little bow. I understand why it was finished this way; however, it just wasn’t “it”, for me. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, and Car accident

carfin2528's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

After I picked up this book, I was faced with choices that could send me down many different paths. I was plagued with worry that the wrong choice would irrevocably send my life down a path that wasn't the *right* path. After reading Nora's journey of living lives where she rectified regrets, it has helped me to realize that whatever decisions I make, I will be ok. And that was comforting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

apoppyinthewind's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

I enjoyed it, I enjoyed the imaginative look at the space between life and death, and reading about Nora's exploration of regret and the paths not taken.  This book deals with suicide, depression, and grief so it can be heavy at times but I thought the author handled the subjects well and it was relatable. Who hasn't wondered 'What if'? when it comes to different choices and experiences in life?

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

daisymoffit's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

An intriguing and well executed novel, The Midnight Library solidifies itself as a book I know I'll often think back to. A lovely combo of captivating fiction and inspiring, motivational fuel. I love a book that leaves me wanting to get up and do something after I finish it. Would recommend to anyone

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

mmidi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

ker_bers257's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Vomit, and Car accident

chelle22's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol

clavishorti's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

I’ve been hearing about The Midnight Library by Matt Haig for ages. It seems like every book forum and social media thread has someone raving about it. This book just kept showing up everywhere, grabbing my attention and making me curious. So, I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. Was it worth it? For me, the answer is a big, resounding yes. I’m genuinely thankful for all those recommendations because, without them, I might have missed out on a reading experience that felt truly meaningful.

Right from the first page, the book plunges you into a thick, all-encompassing darkness. It’s more than just the usual sadness—it’s a heavy, suffocating gloom that seeps into every part of the protagonist’s world. You’re immediately faced with deep loneliness, intense depression, and a loss of any will to live. Nora Seed, our main character, feels stuck in a relentless inner battle, where life has lost all direction and purpose. Before you dive in, here’s a heads-up: this book is emotionally charged and deals with some heavy themes that could trigger feelings of sadness or even depression. So, it’s super important to check in with yourself and make sure you’re in a stable mental place before starting.

The themes in this book are far from light. The Midnight Library digs deep into those regrets that haunt us, the ‘what ifs’ of choices made in the past that never seem to stop lurking, and the dilemmas we face in making decisions about our lives. Through Nora’s journey, we enter this magical library—a place that serves as a bridge between life and death,

where every book represents a different life Nora could have lived.

Matt Haig masterfully turns this into a story that’s not just about death or the end, but about life itself—how every little choice shapes and reshapes our path. I loved how Matt Haig gets you to think about what life really means with this blend of fiction and philosophy.

On a personal note, this book hit me hard. It taught me so much about finding value in life, even when things feel bleak. I was reminded to embrace every decision I’ve made, with all the ups and downs that come with them, and to live with mindfulness and acceptance. The Midnight Library made me look inward, rethink my own choices, and consider how I want to move forward from here.

In the end, this isn’t just a story—it’s a reflection on what life is and how we choose to live it. If you’re looking for a book that gives you more than just a plot, but offers a deeper meaning about life and self-discovery, then this one is definitely worth your time. I wholeheartedly recommend The Midnight Library by Matt Haig to anyone ready to see life from a new angle through the eyes of a character who feels so incredibly real and relatable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Addiction, Self harm, and Vomit

emilyacv's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

Id heard some polarizing things about this one… and I think my thoughts are just… meh. I found the concept interesting, if a little gimicky at times. The tone comes off preachy at times, and about halfway through it gets repetitive to the point that the overall message (which I think is very sweet & hopeful!) dulls out. I think I was just expecting more - I was hoping it would stick with me, make me think… but I got to the end and I was just like k. Love a little existentialism, as a treat, but it’s not one I’m going to re-read. Also, the “rules” for the past lives irritated me -

how come her body can remember how to swim/play an instrument/be in a certain shape depending on the life she is in, but it can’t remember how to be confident when giving a speech, use the polar bear protection equipment on the glacier etc??? And I just kind of got annoyed with her never knowing what was going on ever, although we kind of get an answer to that in the second last life when she slowly starts to fit in more and remember things as she ‘commits’ to the life. But the exposition got old fast.

if the concept intrigues you, I think it’s worth checking out (though see the content warnings) but don’t expect it to change your life.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Self harm, and Death of parent