\u201cThe Midnight Library<\/a>,\u201d written by New York Times bestselling author Matt Haig<\/a>, explores time travel and the infinite number of possibilities for a person\u2019s life journey. Published in 2003, the book revolves around main character Nora Seed\u2019s suicide attempt, which lands her in a limbo state where she can sample infinite different versions of her life.<\/p>\n Because most of us hit rock bottom at one time or another, many readers will connect to Nora\u2019s desperate situation and feel compelled to reflect on their own life choices. The vastly diverse \u201cbooks\u201d Nora chooses to live, provide an exciting reader experience. The writer\u2019s use of language is grade school level, allowing for an easy read. The plot is straightforward and easy to follow.<\/p>\n Some readers might not connect with Nora\u2019s introspective nature and find that her internal dialogue feels like the author inserting self-help text. Others might not find the ending satisfying.<\/p>\n This \u201cThe Midnight Library\u201d review will illuminate many aspects of the story, including themes, literary devices, comparable titles, where to buy the book and more.<\/p>\n You may also enjoy “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n 35-year-old Nora Seed plummets into a state of utter despair after her cat is found dead at the side of the road, her boss fires her, and a chain of other \u201cday from hell\u201d events occur. Feeling like her life is insignificant and that dying is her only escape from suffering, she attempts to die by suicide and wakes up at the Midnight Library \u2014 a limbo space between life and death. Mrs. Elm, a friendly librarian Nora knew in high school, says she can choose from an infinite number of books in the library, each allowing Nora to live a different version of her life.<\/p>\n Promotional copy and book groups mention that the book is about a character living different versions of her life<\/a>, depression and recognizing that even a seemingly imperfect life has value. So far I haven\u2019t seen these groups mention themes related to first-world life: how people in the United States and other industrialized nations tend to value money and fame over human connections. Because I live in Mexico several months a year and have also lived in southern Peru, I have noticed how Mexican and Peruvian lives revolve around family connections. I often see large family groups of multiple generations together at beach gatherings, concerts, in restaurants and in grocery stores.<\/p>\n Nora\u2019s \u201cbook of regrets,\u201d which Mrs. Elm suggests she peruse early on, includes things that Nora felt bad about. These negative feelings happen largely because of the expectation of others and a lack of understanding of the big picture.<\/p>\n I once interviewed an elderly competitive Masters swimmer in Hawaii, and he spoke about his athletic accomplishments first but then said he was working to keep his life more balanced. Toward the end of our interview, he said he didn\u2019t think he or most other people would lie on their death bed wishing they\u2019d won more races or earned more money, that they would likely wish they\u2019d spent more quality time with loved ones. This statement stuck with me. I think that the pressure to \u201ckeep up with the Jones\u201d incites people to make choices that aren\u2019t true to them. Maybe many unhappy people are living lives that aren\u2019t authentic for their values or that have no meaning.<\/p>\n Want more relatable fiction? Check out our best books about depression list<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\u2018The Midnight Library\u2019 Summary: All Hope Lost<\/h2>\n
A Less Publicized Theme: Focusing More on Human Connection<\/h3>\n