The Midnight Library
Matt Haig
(Cannongate)
Nora Seed has had it
with life, literally, physically and in every way, she wants out. Resolved to
end it all, she takes an overdose and wakes up in a mysterious library run by
the one person she feels has shown her kindness.
Only this is no ordinary imagined library, if
such a thing is possible, it is one where all the books tell different versions
of the same story. That of her life with all the disappointments and regrets that
have brought her to this point. Nora has the unique opportunity to choose the
life that will make her happy, but if she makes the wrong choice, she, the
library, and everything else will disappear.
Although less awkwardly
preachy in tone this novel is reminiscent of those Victorian novels where the
protagonist goes on a journey to self-improvement. Along the way facing
improbable challenges and meeting outlandish characters, all of which has a
message to convey to the reader.
Appropriately for our
individualistic times Nora is faced with endless iterations of herself, each of
which has part, but not all, the ingredients of the good life. The message
being that there is no ‘good life’ as such, only ways of making the best of the
one you’ve got.
Matt Haig has delivered
a warm, positive and in its best moments inspiring book that addresses honestly
one of the biggest questions haunting modern humans. How are we to live in a
way that is bearable? Instead of bland reassurances or easy answers instead he suggests
that all we can do is the best we can. That isn’t, he admits, easy; but as this
modern allegory shows, it is possible.
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