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paigedavis'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide attempt
daisymoffit's review
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
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
cam_reads22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
goodvibes22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide attempt
chelle22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
5.0
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.
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,
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.
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Self harm, and Death of parent
2024bookedup's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
eabness's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book MIGHT prove insightful to a middle-schooler who has never been to therapy.
A cliche, heavy-handed metaphor on nearly every page, Haig attempts - desperately and ineffectively - to be as edgy and thought provoking as the philosophers he name drops in almost every chapter. Throughout this wholly predictable narrative, we learn nothing profound from the "trials" of our self-pitying "protagonist," and are left craving even a single reflection on the value of life or the mystery of death that we haven't heard a million times before.
A cliche, heavy-handed metaphor on nearly every page, Haig attempts - desperately and ineffectively - to be as edgy and thought provoking as the philosophers he name drops in almost every chapter. Throughout this wholly predictable narrative, we learn nothing profound from the "trials" of our self-pitying "protagonist," and are left craving even a single reflection on the value of life or the mystery of death that we haven't heard a million times before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, and Suicide attempt