Genre: Science Fiction, Time Travel Fiction
FIVE STARS * * * * *
Another incredible book among my 2020 reads! Exploring the opportunity to go back and re-live your life multiple times, making different choices; a chance to address all your regrets. Sounds like an appealing concept doesn't it? Straight-forward? Maybe bringing about peace and closure? We probably all have many things we wish we had done differently but, as Nora the main character discovers, maybe we're thinking about it the wrong way. All stories are such a gift in allowing us to explore ideas, different characters and points of view. This is one narrative that allows us to do this for our own life story. It's a beautiful book, one that made me pause and undertake some substantive reflection.
Synopsis
Between life and death there is a library. When Nora Seed finds herself in the midnight library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself. But things are about to change. The books in the midnight library enable Nora to live as if she had done things differently. With the help of an old friend, she can now undo every one of her regrets as she tries to work out her perfect life. But things aren’t always what she imagined they’d be, and soon her choices place the library and herself in extreme danger. Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: What is the best way to live?
Excerpt of book description from Amazon.
My thoughts
When I first read the blurb of the book, I wondered if it would be complicated and difficult to follow. The concept of lives perhaps within lives and stories within stories can sometimes leave me confused with missed connections or loose ends. It's not the case at all with this book. The narration is straight forward and the intrinsic connections between Nora's different lives are clever and meaningful. The whole story is deliciously simple to follow despite being so substantive in subject matter. For me this adds to the brilliance of the book. A book that carries a very real articulation of the struggles of mental health.
The regrets and thoughts that Nora explores are relatable; from the small choices to the 'far-out' dreams. What if I had continued swimming professionally, become a vegan, worked in a polar bear research institute, become a popstar, gone for that coffee date with the neighbour, boarded the plane to Australia. Circumventing all these lives, Nora is confronted with the reality of the impact a different choice has not only on that one 'thing' but also on all the other aspects of her life. Like sliding doors, a missed encounter, a chance meeting. Where does it lead?
This is a book I'll definitely return to, something I don't do often! It is a powerful story, guiding you to self-acceptance. The words have left me with a reminder of the optimism of my own life and a firm reminder that I am right where I should be.
About the author
Matt Haig is an author for children and adults. His memoir Reasons to Stay Alive was a number one bestseller, staying in the British top ten for 46 weeks. His children’s book A Boy Called Christmas was a runaway hit and is translated in over 40 languages. It is being made into a film starring Maggie Smith, Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent and The Guardian called it an ‘instant classic’. His novels for adults include the award-winning How To Stop Time, The Radleys, The Humans and the number one bestseller The Midnight Library. He has sold over three million books worldwide.
As taken from author's website.
Comentarios