Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

107 reviews

thimi_time's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

This is such a poignant book! The themes explored are explored in such a way that is just…beautiful. And the underlying message is so inspiring. Though this isn’t exactly my style of book, I didn’t have the moment of “oh, I love this book”, it was an amazing read, and I will definitely be recommending it!

---

Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Self harm, Death of parent, and Terminal illness

Minor: Car accident, Drug use, Drug abuse, Animal cruelty, and Infidelity

anovelglimpse's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

I am late to the party with The Midnight Library. I've seen reviews of it in a lot of places since it was released, but I had kind of forgotten about it until recently. I started listening to it without having read the blurb to remind me what it was about, so I basically went in blind. I don't think I would have been prepared for this book even if I had read the blurb because it's a much heavier book than I get from it.

The Midnight Library is the story of Nora Seed. Nora has been through several traumatic events and decides she doesn't want to live anymore. Her choice has her arriving at the Midnight Library to reflect upon her regrets and find out what might have happened had she made different choices. With each life she tries on, she learns new things about herself and the choices she made in her life.

The despair and depression Nora felt was all encompassing. I understood how she got to where she was in life, but I still hoped things would turn around for her. All of her different lives were really interesting. I loved the insights into her choices and the outcomes. I also loved how philosophy and quotes from philosophers were woven in. The progression of this story was really cool and special. The emotional impact was huge. Haig is a talented writer and storyteller. This may have been my first book by Haig, but it certainly won't be my last.

CW: Suicide

You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse . 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Drug abuse

Minor: Alcohol, Terminal illness, Cancer, Death of parent, and Addiction

reginacattus's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A lesson in finding hope within despair, and also embracing the many worlds theory in physics.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Animal death, Mental illness, and Death of parent

Moderate: Addiction, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, Self harm, Alcohol, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity

Minor: Stalking, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Homophobia, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Cancer

craftysnailtail's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

I understand why this book is popular, but it just wasn't for me. The writing sometimes waxed poetic in a way that felt forced to me. I knew how it would end within the first few pages. The overall message is important, but I couldn't connect with the main character and well, this book is all about her. 

---

Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Cancer, Alcoholism, Stalking, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Animal death, and Car accident

julijuki's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Grief, Animal death, Death, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Addiction, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

bluekelpie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Sexual content

margaret_k30's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt and Self harm

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Animal cruelty, Vomit, Alcoholism, and Stalking

hlureh's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

This book is a true inspiration to be grateful for what one has. A delicate versatile story about dreams and life itself. I listened to the German audiobook read by Annette Frier last year and found it even more intriguing than reading the book.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Terminal illness, Suicide, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent

Minor: Drug abuse, Vomit, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, Stalking, and Alcoholism

justovereherereading's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

3.75

This book was interesting, I found the beginning really sad, but I loved how it set the scene for the rest of the book. The idea of the Midnight Library is kind fun and scary at the same time…left me wondering what other lives I could be living! 😆 
An enjoyable read overall. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Animal cruelty, and Medical trauma

Minor: Vomit and Terminal illness

angelfireeast24's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Chronic illness, Grief, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Minor: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Cursing, Ableism, and Terminal illness