Title: The Midnight Library
Author: Matt Haig
ISB Code: 9781786892737
Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
Publication Year: 2020
Price: RM59.90
We only know what we perceive. Everything we experience is ultimately just our perception of it. It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.
‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that delves into the profound questions of regret, choices, and the infinite possibilities of life. Haig skillfully weaves a narrative that explores the life of Nora Seed, a woman trapped in a state of despair and disillusionment.
We begin with a young woman on the point of making a disastrous decision. Her job, her best friend and her brother have all been taken away from her. Her connections are shattered, and her pet is no longer alive. More importantly, she is profoundly, and presumably irreversibly, depressed. She cannot think of a day that would be better if she were there. Living has devolved into a chore.
Hence, when Nora tries to end her life, she opens her eyes in a library filled with books which contain different versions of her life story. Every book in the library represents a parallel universe with a life she could have lived had her choices been different. All she has to do is choose a book and she will automatically be dropped into that life.
Each time she is dropped into an alternate life, she does so with no prior memory of her life up to that point. She knows she has been dropped in and must wing it and figure out how to fit in seamlessly. There’s a bit of humor when she must google herself and check her social media accounts for clues.
If she loves a life, she has a choice to stay. But if she begins to feel disillusioned, she returns to the library, where an infinite number of possibilities awaits. The problem with infinite possibilities is the thought that something better awaits had a different path been chosen.
“Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices … Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?”
Well, Nora could be a swimmer, a rock star, a philosopher, a wife, a traveler, a glaciologist, a mother, winery or local pub owner. She can say ‘yes’ to her ex and accept his offer to live in a small town and own a local pub or she can say ‘yes’ to a coffee offer from a nice doctor candidate Ash to pursue happiness and love.
She can win Olympic medals or she can taste the tempting charm of fame with her songs she writes and performs all around the world. She can be everything or anything.
But after living so many lives, nearly thousand different versions, will she find which is best for her and which life form will suit to catch the real happiness?
Haig’s writing style is both poetic and empathetic, making it easy for readers to connect with Nora’s journey of self-discovery. The characters are richly developed, and the exploration of different lives offers profound insights into the consequences of our choices.
Moreover, Nora’s interactions with the quirky librarian, Mrs Elm, are both heartwarming and enlightening.
The book navigates deep philosophical questions about happiness and purpose, all while keeping the reader engaged with its compelling plot. It challenges us to reflect on our own lives and the paths we have chosen.
One of the standout quotes from the book is, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
This quote encapsulates the central message of the novel — embracing change and living life to its fullest.
For me, this book is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to make choices that lead to a life of fulfillment. It’s a book that will resonate with anyone who has ever wondered ‘what if’ and will leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the beauty of the life they have.
Matt Haig has crafted a masterpiece that invites readers to examine their own existence and find solace in the infinite possibilities of the universe.
With that, I highly recommend reading this for anyone who may be feeling a little lost or low in life; for anyone who may have regrets with how they feel their life is turning out or wish they had taken a different path.
Not only will you find solace in Nora and the other lovable characters met throughout the book but I can almost guarantee it will give you a kinder reflection of yourself, the choices you have made and the ties you still have in the life you’re currently living.
