Book Review: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. It’s a beautifully heart-breaking exploration of life, regret, and the infinite possibilities that come with every choice we make. As I closed the book, I found myself staring at the ceiling, overwhelmed by the sheer emotional depth of Nora Seed’s journey.

At its core, The Midnight Library tells the story of Nora, a woman who feels like she’s reached the end of her rope. Her life is a series of disappointments—a failed engagement, a distant family, abandoned dreams, and a soul-crushing sense of purposelessness. When she decides to end her life, she finds herself in a strange, otherworldly library. Here, every book on the shelves represents a different version of her life—one where she made a different choice at a crucial moment. The librarian, a comforting figure from her childhood named Mrs. Elm, acts as her guide, giving her the opportunity to step into these alternate lives and see what could have been.

This premise alone was enough to hook me, but it was the execution that truly shattered me. Each life Nora steps into is vividly painted, from the one where she becomes a world-famous musician to the one where she settles down as a glaciologist in the Arctic. At first, these alternate realities feel like dreams come true. But as Nora spends more time in them, she realizes that every life has its own struggles and imperfections. The grass isn’t always greener; sometimes it’s just a different shade of green.

What made this book so heartbreakingly beautiful for me was the way it captured the universality of regret. Who hasn’t looked back at a decision and wondered, “What if?” Matt Haig doesn’t shy away from the pain of these questions, but he also offers a glimmer of hope. Through Nora’s journey, we see that while no life is perfect, every life has moments of joy, connection, and meaning—if we’re willing to look for them.

One of the lives that particularly stood out to me was when Nora became a glaciologist, living in the stark, icy beauty of the Arctic. This version of her life was born out of a childhood dream she had long since abandoned. In this life, she found herself studying the fragile ecosystems of the polar regions and forging deep connections with a team of scientists. It seemed perfect on the surface, but loneliness crept in, and she realized that the isolation and constant danger weren’t what she truly wanted. It was a poignant moment—a reminder that even our most cherished dreams can feel hollow if they don’t align with who we’ve become.

Another deeply moving moment was when Nora explored a life where she became a world-renowned swimmer. As a teenager, she had been on the path to Olympic greatness but gave it up after a traumatic experience. In this alternate life, she had achieved everything she once thought she wanted: fame, accolades, and a sense of purpose. Yet, she discovered that the pressure and sacrifices had taken a toll on her mental health and relationships. This life showed her that success, while intoxicating, often comes with a cost.

There’s a particular scene that broke me. Nora is living a life where she’s married to her ex-fiancé, Dan, and running the pub they always dreamed of owning together. At first, it seems idyllic. But as the cracks begin to show, she realizes that Dan isn’t the person she thought he was, and neither is this version of herself. It’s a poignant reminder that sometimes, the lives we mourn are ones we’ve idealized in our minds. The reality is often far more complicated.

By the end of the book, Nora comes to understand that the life she’s been running from—her root life, as Mrs. Elm calls it—isn’t as hopeless as she thought. It’s messy and imperfect, but it’s hers. This realization hit me like a tidal wave. How often do we focus on what’s missing in our lives instead of appreciating what we have? Nora’s decision to return to her root life felt like a triumph, not just for her but for anyone who has ever struggled to find meaning in the everyday.

The Midnight Library isn’t just a book; it’s an emotional journey. It’s a reminder that life is a series of choices, and while we can’t change the past, we can choose how we move forward. Matt Haig’s writing is tender and empathetic, making it impossible not to see yourself in Nora’s struggles and triumphs. This book broke my heart and then gently pieced it back together, leaving me with a renewed appreciation for the messy, beautiful thing that is life.

If you’ve ever felt lost or wondered about the road not taken, The Midnight Library is a must-read. It’s a story that reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is hope, and that sometimes, the best life we can live is the one we’re already in.