'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig
At last! A book you've heard of - and probably even read! Although, if you've read it, why on Earth would you want to read a blog post about it? Go away and read something else! Actually, no, don't do that. Stay here, and read some thoughts about Matt Haig's massive bestseller 'The Midnight Library'.
The End is the Beginning
Decisions, Decisions
I've got quite mixed feelings about 'The Midnight Library'. I liked the general idea - very Mitch Albom - and Matt Haig always has interesting and reassuring things to say about mental health issues. I think it's a book that people who have felt disappointed or depressed by life at times will relate to more easily than those who haven't. This is it's strength - Haig is talking from experience and putting what he's learned from it into a story format. In some ways, it makes 'The Midnight Library' a kind of self-help book in novel form.
Wibbly-Wobbly, Timey-Wimey Stuff
Initially, I liked the story's main concept of personal multiverses, but the more I thought about it, the less enamoured I became. This wasn't helped by the amount of the time spent explaining the basic quantum physics behind it and the rules of the Midnight Library. It needs to be done, but it was very talky-talky, and returned to so often that it was almost as if the author didn't trust the reader's memory. I'm not that forgetful!
Unfortunately, reminding me of the central idea made me think about and question it. What happens to the Noras who are already living the alternative lives? Do they die in her root life instead? Why do some people get to go to a library and others don't? Doesn't jumping into a life after things have been achieved (rock stardom, Olympic gold, etc) kinda miss the fun bits - isn't the success a bit hollow if you haven't earned it? And surely suddenly finding yourself landing Quantum Leap-style into another life, where you know nothing of your relationships or work, just... stressful? On the whole, I found the vagueness of the central idea became a distraction from the main mental health message.
What's the Alternative?
'The Midnight Library' felt to me like an episode of a longer series. That's the place where you could get away with a slightly vague concept providing you explained it quickly then the action got going. Actually, I do think it would make a great TV film or mini-series with full on Doctor Who special effects and Judi Dench as Mrs Elm. You know you'd watch it! On its own, however, 'The Midnight Library' does feel a bit derivative. It made me think of 'Quantum Leap' and 'Sliders' among others. Bearing in mind that 'sliders' gets a mention, I do wonder if Haig was also a fan of this '90s TV series.
An Adult Fairy Tale
This is a short book and it shows in the characters. The simple language and length make it very accessible, but I didn't feel there was enough character development. Even Nora was a bit wishy-washy, though she was at the very heart of the story. For example, where were her regrets about children? Any woman will tell you that worries about having / not having children and being judged for the decision make a pretty regular appearance thanks to menstruation and societal expectation, so it felt a bit odd that this topic didn't seem to cross Nora's mind until she landed in the life of a mother. That felt like a man's perspective on parenthood; it's irrelevant until it happens to me. I also felt the monologue by Joe, Nora's brother, near the end of the book felt out of place and unnatural. A normal person's concern would've been with his sister at that moment, the time to reflect and put the past right would come more organically once the initial danger was over.
Overall
'The Midnight Library' is a story about mental wellbeing masquerading as science fiction. Unfortunately, I approached it as the latter, so was left a bit disappointed. It is, however, an easy enough read (good for the commute or tea breaks), thought-provoking in places, and draws on the experience of a leading voice on this important topic. It's a voice worth listening to, whether you've had personal experience of depression or want to improve your understanding.
If you've read and enjoyed 'The Midnight Library', I'd recommend the work of Mitch Albom, particularly 'The Five People You Meet in Heaven', which has similar themes.
Now, what next..?
'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig was first published in 2020 by Canongate Books. This post is based on the ebook published in 2021.
