The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig
19/60 | Started 03.17.24 • Finished 03.25.24 | 3.5 stars
I've seen this novel all over goodreads in the not-too-distant past, and have heard several people rave about it. Welp, it wasn't that for me. I don't know if some of the themes hit too close to home, or if it was the fantastical nature of the premise, but it just didn't do it for me.
‘I wasn’t lying. I asked you what your cat’s name was. I never said I didn’t know what your cat’s name was. Do you understand the difference? I just wanted you to say his name, so that you would feel something.’
The novel follows Nora Seed, who's had a tough go at things as of late. She finds herself in a sort of in between existence where she's allowed to enter into alternate possibilities, or really, alternate realities. Basically a chance to do it all over again. She struggles with finding wholeness and joy while fulfilling her past dreams for herself, others' dreams for her, and even whatever "perfect" life she can dream up. Of course, by the end, she finds out what's important in life and how she can use her present reality to go after that. All in all, a very neat story.
Sometimes regrets aren’t based on fact at all. Sometimes regrets are just . . .’ She searched for the appropriate term and found it. ‘A load of bullshit.’
Though solidly written - Matt Haig is truly great with words - I find that I'm really not a big fan of books that have fantasy at the center. However, as it seems that I'm in the minority, you might give this one a try and see if you enjoy it.