THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆
𝗕𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗴 
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗚𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: 𝟑𝟎𝟒
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱: 𝟑𝟏𝘀𝐭 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝗙𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓







Living alone in a damp, squalid flat, weary and adrift, Nora’s life takes a tragic turn that pushes her over the edge. Yet, at the stroke of midnight—on the brink of despair—she finds herself in The Midnight Library, a place filled with an infinite number of books, each representing a different version of her life. Among them lies The Book of Regrets, a haunting summary of all her fears and lost possibilities. Guided by Mrs Elm, the librarian, Nora learns that even the slightest sense of disappointment in any new life will send her right back to the library. With this warning, she embarks on a journey through multiple lives—experiencing everything from Olympic glory to rock stardom, and from life as a glaciologist to one of quiet struggle in Australia. But with endless choices before her, how can one truly find the “best” life?

The language is simple and the narration flows smoothly, though I wouldn’t say it's a fast-paced read. Certain sections felt slow and, at times, monotonous. While I genuinely admire the concept's uniqueness, I felt Nora's character could have been better.
One aspect that influenced my overall reading was the way the author portrayed Nora’s transitions into her parallel lives. The rule states that even the slightest disappointment would send her back to the library—but if someone suddenly finds themselves in a completely unfamiliar life, without prior knowledge of it, isn’t some level of detachment inevitable? It seemed unrealistic that she could adapt instantly, and I wish this idea had been presented differently.

Overall, the plot is undeniably unique. The Midnight Library is not just about exploring the infinite possibilities of one’s life, but also about learning to release regret and embrace the present. I’m feeling conflicted—deeply moved by the message, yet at times struggling with the pacing and execution. Still, I would recommend this book, especially to anyone navigating a dark or uncertain phase in life—it offers hope, introspection, and a gentle reminder of how precious each choice truly is.

My Rating:

3/5

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