Book Review: The Midnight Library

Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library is an emotional and thought-provoking journey through life itself, allowing us all to address the question ‘what if?’. 

Nora Seed, a woman struggling with her mental health and feelings of unfulfillment, decides that life is no longer worth it; that taking her life is the only option. Yet when she wakes up in a world in-between life and death, greeted by her old school librarian who gives her the opportunity to experience alternative paths in her life, we follow as Nora’s perspectives begin to shift, and she realises that dreams are not all they’re cracked up to be.

Haig’s mastery of language and storytelling shine distinctly through this title, weaving a simple yet enamouring web of hopeful wonder from our very first visit to The Midnight Library. However, his true talent emerges through an ability to temper these feelings as the story progresses, slowly shifting the reader’s perspective from a need to experience this library for themselves, to an appreciation of one’s own experience and decisions over any other. 

The branching nature of this story, akin to an infinite and ever-growing tree, provides readers with opportunities to reflect on their own lived experiences; to consider what their own decision tree may look like, and the infinite possibilities our own lives may have, and may yet, yield.

Nora Seed’s character is well-developed and relatable, instantly connecting to the reader and oftentimes reflecting their own insecurities and frustrations. Her excited exploration of, and journey through, The Midnight Library feels incredibly realistic, avoiding her feeling overly-familiar with this unusual dimension, and the snapshots of alternative lives we see bring out her hopes and dreams incredibly clearly. Whereas other stories rely on heavy bouts of exposition or intense moments of character development, Haig’s clever concept and balance between present-day Nora, and what-could-have-been Nora's circumvent this with ease and grace.

Similarly, Mrs Elm’s kind, mentor-like character provides a nice balance, particularly early on, between Nora’s chaotic approach to The Midnight Library and Elm’s calm, reassuring demeanour. Reading this book, I found myself imagining who my Mrs Elm was, connecting this abstract story to each reader and grounding it in reality, even despite the concept. 

Watching Mrs Elm change as Nora’s situation becomes more uncertain provides an interesting inflection of both characters, as their worlds both materially change in just a few pages.

If you have ever found yourself musing a regret you have or wondering how your life may have been if a different decision had been made, The Midnight Library is both a cautionary tale and one that elicits wonder and joy at the idea of life itself. We may all have regrets in our short time here, but that’s what makes us, and our lives, what they are. Don’t regret what could have been when you can celebrate what is. 

As Mrs Elm proclaims: “The only way to learn is to live”.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Written by, Sophie Layton