A Review.
This was my first Matt Haig novel, and I am excited to say that I was held captivated from the opening line. There were techniques used within this novel that have gone unnoticed in previously read books, perhaps due to having been gifted it as an annotated version for Christmas. And it is because of these powerful techniques that I am in awe of his writing style and imagination. If I had to pinpoint just one favourite section, honestly, I’m not sure I could.
This entire story was centred around Nora Seed and her quest to both live and die, she was the only character I really got to know as I found all the other characters became a part of the background. Watching the story unfold, I began comparing Nora from one version of herself to another and identified personal characteristics that I both related to and was left with a ‘huh’ impression. By the end of the story, I was page turning as quickly as I could to find out what life lessons, if any, she had learnt. I resonated mostly with her by the end of the story and although I didn’t resonate with her at the start, it did not mean enjoyment of the journey was lost, after all, we all change in varying degrees across our lives.
My favourite emotion to have arisen throughout this story is one of hope. We have events happen in our lives every day, some good, some bad, but if in those times of bad, we can only hold onto the prospect of hope, then I feel all is not lost. And when I felt hope through Nora, I became happy for her, that light, bright kind of happy. On the opposite spectrum, when she felt despair, I was drawn in and felt it alongside her. Without this despair, I’m unsure as to whether the hope I felt would have been as elevated.
Haig’s use of allusion throughout the story alongside the plentiful references to philosophers deepened the scene setting for me. Despite having heard of the philosophers mentioned, it was only when I read a few previously written articles about The Midnight Library did I fully understand them. I now see the story a lot clearer and the fact that I felt compelled to do this, signifies the power that lay with in the techniques and story itself. Personal self-reflection naturally occurred along with Nora’s own revelations. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect as critical reflection is a large component of both my paid and unpaid daily work.
I would certainly read further Haig novels, but like with many firsts, they often become the favourite and can take a lot of encouraging to view subsequent additions otherwise. Happy Reading – oh, and if you ever have a chance to read an annotated novel – do it!!!
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