“It is easy to regret, and keep regretting, ad infinitum, until our time runs out. But it is not lives we regret not living that are the real problem. It is the regret itself. It's the regret that makes us shrivel and wither and feel like our own and other people's worst enemy.”
Feeling unneeded by everyone around her, Nora Seed decides to end her life.
As the clock strikes 12, she finds herself caught between life and death in The Midnight Library, a place filled with books detailing all the possible trajectories her life could have taken. Each book offers her possibilities and potential, giving her infinite chances to explore different versions of what could have been her life. Through these experiences, Nora embarks on a quest for happiness and fulfilment while grappling with the eternal question of ‘what if’.
The book delves deep into depression as well as various dimensions of happiness and sadness. With every missed opportunity and road not taken, regret snowballs into an avalanche. While she derives happiness from seeing once deceased family and exploring new lives, she shockingly finds herself dissatisfied with many of the lives she entered. Nora’s journey features thoughts and feelings in their rawest form, taking readers through an honest and heart wrenching journey.
Its raw look into loneliness, regret and quest for fulfilment also tackles eternal philosophical questions regarding the human condition. How does one deal with regret? Does choosing differently entail a better life? What are the constituents of a truly happy and fulfilled life?
The Midnight Library Book
Matt Haig’s flowy and streamlined storyline with minimal characters also makes this book an easy and enjoyable read. The vivid descriptions of the Midnight Library and Nora’s different lives also allows readers to visualise these places with ease. From a rockstar to an Olympic swimmer to living in Australia, Haig describes each of these lives in detail with much attention to Nora’s inner monologue, guiding readers through a journey of diverse possibilities.
This book portrayed some emotions that deeply resonated with this writer, nevertheless, I believe every reader will have a different experience and glean different lessons. The most powerful thing about this story to me is how it reminds people that we are never permanently stuck in life. It offers readers a glimpse of hope that is sometimes much needed on tough days. Overall, reading The Midnight Library was a magical and beautiful experience which I hope everyone can share.
All images retrieved from: Rakuten Kobo
Written by: Low Le Shyan (21S74)
Edited by: Tan Xuanmin (21S78)
Σχόλια