Yun's Reviews > The Midnight Library
The Midnight Library
by
No truer words have been said by Nora, the world's largest wet blanket. Woe is her, folks.
Nora ends up at the Midnight Library, a place between life and death, because she doesn't want to live anymore. The library is full of books, each representing a life she could've had had she made different choices. Now she has a chance to undo all her regrets (of which there are many) and try out all the lives she's missed out on, to see if there's another one she would've liked better.
Lest you think I'm a cold-hearted reader for not loving this, I mean, sure that does sound like me. I count coins in my bathtub, chase children off my lawn with my gnarly walking stick, and club seals for laughs at least once a day, if not more. So what's to like? No no, I'm just kidding. Really.
Normally I love sappy, cheesy, inspirational mush. I watch Hallmark movies. I believe in soulmates and happily ever after. I cry during every sweet scene in every movie. And yet this book left me so cold inside, I got absolutely zero feels unless you count frustration as a feel.
For one thing, this story doesn't come across as fiction so much as self-help disguised as fiction. The lessons to be learned in here are pretty obvious right from the beginning, yet they are presented like some sort of epiphany that can only be discerned if explained slowly and repeatedly. We are forced to endure these same lessons over and over every time Nora goes back to the library. Either Nora is the most dim witted of characters, or the author thinks us readers are.
Another problem is that it's really hard to connect with Nora. She'll take any situation, suck every ounce of joy out of it, and interpret what's left in the most negative way possible. She's full of regret for every decision she's ever made, and thinks the grass is always greener. However, other than being negative, she literally has no other personality traits. She's a blank slate, dull and uninteresting.
I also have issues with the core messages in this book. Nora finally learns her lesson, but it's only after having fixated on each regret, remade every decision, and lived all subsequent lives. Like come on, at some point, you just have to be okay with who you are and the decisions you've made without knowing every single possible outcome.
But my biggest issue is that I'm really uncomfortable with this book's implication that if you're depressed, you only need to change your mindset and you will feel better. That goes against everything we understand about mental illness, including that it's important to seek professional help, that it can be chemically based, and that it's not a matter of not trying hard enough.
We already have enough trouble as a society getting depression and mental illness taken seriously, without a "feelgood" book coming along and implying that you need nothing more than an attitude adjustment to cure it. That puts the blame squarely where it doesn't belong, on the hundreds of millions of people who are suffering from depression. But it isn't just the layman who harbors such misunderstandings. It also includes people who work in the mental health field, and even some therapists and psychiatrists. So you can understand my dismay at the continued popularity of this book, which further perpetrates this extremely toxic point of view.
Please don't get me wrong. The message in here about having a positive attitude is a good one, and I'm all for it. But that worthwhile message slowly but surely got overshadowed by the implication that depression is nothing more than a mindset, and that's where I fall off the bandwagon. At times, I'm left wondering if the author started with the intention of the former and, over the course of writing this story, it somehow got away from him and he ended up with the latter instead.
Obviously many readers loved this book, as evidenced by its overwhelmingly favorable reviews. But it's decidedly not for me. This is the second book I've read by Matt Haig, and I've pretty much hated both. So I think it's time I part ways with this author and just accept that we're not compatible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
How to Stop Time
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
by
"That is just me. I add nothing. I am wallowing in self-pity."
No truer words have been said by Nora, the world's largest wet blanket. Woe is her, folks.
Nora ends up at the Midnight Library, a place between life and death, because she doesn't want to live anymore. The library is full of books, each representing a life she could've had had she made different choices. Now she has a chance to undo all her regrets (of which there are many) and try out all the lives she's missed out on, to see if there's another one she would've liked better.
Lest you think I'm a cold-hearted reader for not loving this, I mean, sure that does sound like me. I count coins in my bathtub, chase children off my lawn with my gnarly walking stick, and club seals for laughs at least once a day, if not more. So what's to like? No no, I'm just kidding. Really.
Normally I love sappy, cheesy, inspirational mush. I watch Hallmark movies. I believe in soulmates and happily ever after. I cry during every sweet scene in every movie. And yet this book left me so cold inside, I got absolutely zero feels unless you count frustration as a feel.
For one thing, this story doesn't come across as fiction so much as self-help disguised as fiction. The lessons to be learned in here are pretty obvious right from the beginning, yet they are presented like some sort of epiphany that can only be discerned if explained slowly and repeatedly. We are forced to endure these same lessons over and over every time Nora goes back to the library. Either Nora is the most dim witted of characters, or the author thinks us readers are.
Another problem is that it's really hard to connect with Nora. She'll take any situation, suck every ounce of joy out of it, and interpret what's left in the most negative way possible. She's full of regret for every decision she's ever made, and thinks the grass is always greener. However, other than being negative, she literally has no other personality traits. She's a blank slate, dull and uninteresting.
I also have issues with the core messages in this book. Nora finally learns her lesson, but it's only after having fixated on each regret, remade every decision, and lived all subsequent lives. Like come on, at some point, you just have to be okay with who you are and the decisions you've made without knowing every single possible outcome.
But my biggest issue is that I'm really uncomfortable with this book's implication that if you're depressed, you only need to change your mindset and you will feel better. That goes against everything we understand about mental illness, including that it's important to seek professional help, that it can be chemically based, and that it's not a matter of not trying hard enough.
We already have enough trouble as a society getting depression and mental illness taken seriously, without a "feelgood" book coming along and implying that you need nothing more than an attitude adjustment to cure it. That puts the blame squarely where it doesn't belong, on the hundreds of millions of people who are suffering from depression. But it isn't just the layman who harbors such misunderstandings. It also includes people who work in the mental health field, and even some therapists and psychiatrists. So you can understand my dismay at the continued popularity of this book, which further perpetrates this extremely toxic point of view.
Please don't get me wrong. The message in here about having a positive attitude is a good one, and I'm all for it. But that worthwhile message slowly but surely got overshadowed by the implication that depression is nothing more than a mindset, and that's where I fall off the bandwagon. At times, I'm left wondering if the author started with the intention of the former and, over the course of writing this story, it somehow got away from him and he ended up with the latter instead.
Obviously many readers loved this book, as evidenced by its overwhelmingly favorable reviews. But it's decidedly not for me. This is the second book I've read by Matt Haig, and I've pretty much hated both. So I think it's time I part ways with this author and just accept that we're not compatible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
How to Stop Time
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
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Reading Progress
April 24, 2021
–
Started Reading
April 24, 2021
– Shelved
April 27, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 281 (281 new)
message 1:
by
Angela
(new)
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rated it 2 stars
Apr 25, 2021 12:44AM
Ooooh I'm interested to know what you will think of this one Yun. I've recently finished it myself.
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Angela wrote: "Ooooh I'm interested to know what you will think of this one Yun. I've recently finished it myself."
I just didn't connect with it, Angela. I think you and me see pretty much eye to eye on this, unfortunately.
I just didn't connect with it, Angela. I think you and me see pretty much eye to eye on this, unfortunately.
Renée wrote: "One of my favs! Look forward to your review Yun - Enjoy!"
Thanks, Renée! Unfortunately, I just didn't connect with it. I'm glad you and so many other readers loved it!
Thanks, Renée! Unfortunately, I just didn't connect with it. I'm glad you and so many other readers loved it!
Fantastic and honest review, Yun! I enjoyed it a bit more than you, but definitely felt a bit letdown. I hope your next read is a success! :)
you're definitely not the only one. i've read reviews that were frustrated by the self-help vibes of this book.
Can’t love em all Yun ......... I haven’t read this one but I did like The Humans by Mr Haig. Anyway, as you say, maybe he’s just not the author for you. Loved your honest write up!
Michael wrote: "Fantastic and honest review, Yun! I enjoyed it a bit more than you, but definitely felt a bit letdown. I hope your next read is a success! :)"
Thanks, Michael! I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt letdown after all the raving reviews out there. Still, glad you enjoyed this a bit more than me! :)
Thanks, Michael! I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt letdown after all the raving reviews out there. Still, glad you enjoyed this a bit more than me! :)
Swaroop wrote: "Yun,
So sad and sorry that you did not like this book - hoping that your next book is a good read - cheers!"
Thanks, Swaroop! No one's sadder than me that I didn't love this book enjoyed by so many others!
So sad and sorry that you did not like this book - hoping that your next book is a good read - cheers!"
Thanks, Swaroop! No one's sadder than me that I didn't love this book enjoyed by so many others!
Nastya wrote: "you're definitely not the only one. i've read reviews that were frustrated by the self-help vibes of this book."
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one, Nastya. This book just wasn't what I was hoping for, and the self-help vibes definitely didn't make me like it any more.
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one, Nastya. This book just wasn't what I was hoping for, and the self-help vibes definitely didn't make me like it any more.
Richard wrote: "Can’t love em all Yun ......... I haven’t read this one but I did like The Humans by Mr Haig. Anyway, as you say, maybe he’s just not the author for you. Loved your honest write up!"
Thanks, Richard! For sure. What works for one reader doesn't always work for another, and this is the perfect case. I'm glad Matt Haig seems to be a good fit for you!
Thanks, Richard! For sure. What works for one reader doesn't always work for another, and this is the perfect case. I'm glad Matt Haig seems to be a good fit for you!
Sorry to hear you didn't love it, Yun! Very fair and well-expressed review. Fingers crossed your next read brings you more joy. :)
Regina wrote: "Sorry to hear you didn't love it, Yun! Very fair and well-expressed review. Fingers crossed your next read brings you more joy. :)"
Thanks so much, Regina! It's always a huge disappointment to be let down by a book so well-loved by others. I'm glad it was a terrific read for you!
Thanks so much, Regina! It's always a huge disappointment to be let down by a book so well-loved by others. I'm glad it was a terrific read for you!
Jayme wrote: "Very well said! I was one of the few who was equally disappointed by this one too! 💕"
Thanks, Jayme! I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt disappointed! 💖
Thanks, Jayme! I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt disappointed! 💖
Lindsay - Traveling Sisters Book Reviews wrote: "Sorry this one wasn’t for you Yun. Great review! Hope you love your next read. 🥰"
Thanks, Lindsay! Appreciate your kind words! 💖
Thanks, Lindsay! Appreciate your kind words! 💖
Holly wrote: "I couldn't finish it, actually barely started and wasn't interested. Glad it wasn't just me!"
Not just you, Holly! Looks like there are at least a few of us lol! :)
Not just you, Holly! Looks like there are at least a few of us lol! :)
Michelle wrote: "Yikes! This one never did pique my interest. I appreciate your honest review, Yun! Well done! 💕"
Thanks, Michelle! Appreciate your kind words! 💖
Thanks, Michelle! Appreciate your kind words! 💖
Sorry to hear you didn't like this one. I enjoyed it but we can't all like the same books or discussions here would be very boring :)
Great honest review, Yun! 💜 I've seen several mediocre reviews now, so I think I'm going to skip this one.
Kay wrote: "Bummer! Sorry to hear this didn't work for you Yun. Great review regardless!"
Thanks, Kay! I'm glad it worked much better for you! :)
Thanks, Kay! I'm glad it worked much better for you! :)
I felt the same way, the book bangs its THEMES in all caps over your head over and over. Also I dont understand why she just didn't choose the life where she hadn't taken all those pills at the end. Nothing would have gone wrong.
Teresa wrote: "Sorry to hear you didn't like this one. I enjoyed it but we can't all like the same books or discussions here would be very boring :)"
Haha so true, Teresa! Thanks, appreciate your kind words! And I'm glad you loved this! :)
Haha so true, Teresa! Thanks, appreciate your kind words! And I'm glad you loved this! :)
Denise wrote: "Great honest review, Yun! 💜 I've seen several mediocre reviews now, so I think I'm going to skip this one."
Thanks, Denise! So many people loved this, but if the blurb doesn't appeal to you, I think it's wise to skip! 💖
Thanks, Denise! So many people loved this, but if the blurb doesn't appeal to you, I think it's wise to skip! 💖
Linds wrote: "I felt the same way, the book bangs its THEMES in all caps over your head over and over. Also I dont understand why she just didn't choose the life where she hadn't taken all those pills at the end..."
Thanks for your comment, Linds! Yes, the themes were so obviously drilled into the reader, it really put me off. I enjoy books that allow me the space to think for myself within the story, and this one just didn't have that. Sorry it was a miss for you too!
Thanks for your comment, Linds! Yes, the themes were so obviously drilled into the reader, it really put me off. I enjoy books that allow me the space to think for myself within the story, and this one just didn't have that. Sorry it was a miss for you too!
Great review Yun! Poor Nora - " a wet blanket" - haha! I do like the idea of books giving one a chance to live another life vicariously though. Your comments towards the end about seeking medical advice for mental illness are very well made :)
I literally just purchased this book a few hours ago! I’m saddened to hear that you didn’t love the novel, but I’ve read other unfavorable reviews, too. I hope I enjoy it!
Mark wrote: "Great review Yun! Poor Nora - " a wet blanket" - haha! I do like the idea of books giving one a chance to live another life vicariously though. Your comments towards the end about seeking medical a..."
Thanks, Mark! She's just so down on everything. I feel bad for her, but at the same time, she drove me crazy. It's like Eeyore, but without the cuteness lol! :)
Thanks, Mark! She's just so down on everything. I feel bad for her, but at the same time, she drove me crazy. It's like Eeyore, but without the cuteness lol! :)
Ashley wrote: "I literally just purchased this book a few hours ago! I’m saddened to hear that you didn’t love the novel, but I’ve read other unfavorable reviews, too. I hope I enjoy it!"
Ashley, in that case, just scrub my review out of your thoughts lol! Honestly though, so many readers absolutely loved this, so I think chances are good that you will too! :)
Ashley, in that case, just scrub my review out of your thoughts lol! Honestly though, so many readers absolutely loved this, so I think chances are good that you will too! :)
Wow, this was on my short list. Thank you for saving me. I abhor self-help literature (I was being funny, it's not literature). And they say that in hell "you're stuck repeating/reliving what you hate" reading self-help would apply. Happy upcoming May to you and you Yun. :-D
Paul wrote: "Wow, this was on my short list. Thank you for saving me. I abhor self-help literature (I was being funny, it's not literature). And they say that in hell "you're stuck repeating/reliving what you h..."
Thanks, Paul! Ha, if you're not a fan of self-help, then this is definitely not for you because it's dripping with self-help lessons that are beaten into the reader lol! Can't believe it's almost May already! Hope you and yours are doing well! Happy reading! :)
Thanks, Paul! Ha, if you're not a fan of self-help, then this is definitely not for you because it's dripping with self-help lessons that are beaten into the reader lol! Can't believe it's almost May already! Hope you and yours are doing well! Happy reading! :)
Sara wrote: "Oh no Yun, I’m sorry you did not love it! I truly hope that your next read will be better 😍"
Thanks, Sara! Appreciate your kind words! Obviously I'm in the minority here, and I'm glad to see that you loved it! 💖
Thanks, Sara! Appreciate your kind words! Obviously I'm in the minority here, and I'm glad to see that you loved it! 💖
Deanna wrote: "sorry it didn't work out, Yun! I hope you love your next read :)"
Thanks, Deanna! Me too! :)
Thanks, Deanna! Me too! :)
Julie wrote: "This is a fantastic review, Yun! Sorry the book didn't work out for you, though.💖"
Thanks, Julie! Appreciate you saying that! 💖
Thanks, Julie! Appreciate you saying that! 💖
Martine wrote: "Really good review, Yun. I was disappointed with this one too."
Thanks, Martine! I'm glad I'm not the only one who was let down by this!
Thanks, Martine! I'm glad I'm not the only one who was let down by this!
Love your honest review Yun. I enjoyed the book. I read this one after reading Matt Haigs’ non-fiction books on mental health (I enjoyed those too). What I really enjoyed is how he crafted a fiction story with the use of ‘philosophy’ (he uses a lot in his NF) with a mix of “sci-fi” if I can use that term. The sliding doors effect mixed with bootstrap paradox, red queens race. All terms he used to help the reader visualise (the world inside) mental health... I agree, Nora was a hard one to connect with and came across frustrating.
I've read many positive and negative reviews of this book, and I find your reasons not to read it the most compelling. I have a few other Haig books still unread, maybe they will stay unread. Great review, Yun.
Yun I had nearly exactly the same thoughts, right down to describing it as "self-help in disguise" to my friends. It also didn't help that I read this one right on the heels of Addie LaRue, which had a somewhat similar searching for meaning in life theme, and I much preferred.