Review by Cricket
“Want is an interesting word. It means lack. Sometimes if we fill that lack with something else the original want disappears entirely.“
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is captivating in its exploration of the very human desire for improvement, while showing that often the only reason we don’t, is because we don’t want to. Haig’s writing style is accessible and subtly evocative, making the book an easy yet engrossing read. It should take most readers the time between breakfast and lunch to work through it. The simplicity of the narrative coupled with the almost desperate pursuit for poignancy somehow works for a book that deals with themes of loss, regret, and ultimately human failure. There is a hint of hope, but even that can’t make up for the desperate failure the protagonist insists on being.
While I found the writing to be a strength, I must admit that the protagonist, Nora Seed, often left me exhausted, Her constant vacillation between choices and seemingly perpetual dissatisfaction is mind-numbingly woeful. At times, I feared for a more decisive and proactive protagonist. However, this very aspect of Nora’s character is perhaps exactly what the narrative requires, the question the novel asks is self-serving, the theme almost disguises itself. Nora is in actuality the perfect protagonist for a book where one is forced to believe the array of choices given to a person will never be enough, just because.
One of the highlights for me was the character of the librarian in the Midnight Library, Mrs Elm. Her admission of imperfection and struggles in her own real life towards the end lent itself to offering some depth to what was otherwise a series of self-fulfilling adventures.
It was a refreshing and relatable touch that humanised the fantastical setting. The librarian’s admission that her isolation is perhaps a result of her own actions towards others offered a wonderful, refreshing contrast to a protagonist that seems to flourish on the “it’s always others” approach to reality.
The Midnight Library was undeniably compelling, in thought. The exploration of alternate lives and the consequences of different choices was handled well but unfortunately never felt entirely thought provoking or life altering. Haig skilfully weaves a narrative that encourages reflection on the paths we take and the impact of our decisions. Provided you are willing to acknowledge that the choices you make, and their consequences are not things you automatically get to suffer under.
In conclusion, The Midnight Library offers readers exactly that, a fantastical narrative trying very hard to be impactful. The simplicity of the writing style juxtaposed with the desperate want for complexity in the themes creates a somewhat engaging narrative. While Nora’s character may test one’s patience, the overall journey through the Midnight Library is a literary adventure well worth taking. Just remind yourself that fiction is exactly that, and nothing more.
