Book Review: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
April 12, 2021 – Sarah Vohsen, Adult Services
This column was first published in the April 2021 issue of The Best Years (TBY).
Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library is the second book I’ve read by this author. In both books, Haig ties magical concepts into a realistic world, and the way he does this is creative and creates a story that balances realism and fantastical elements well. This book is directly tied to Nora’s depression and her experience through living her many lives, so at times, the lessons she learns may seem a bit overt. Overall, though, the writing was done well, and I enjoyed the novel, especially because of its unique premise.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys magical elements in realistic worlds. If this sounds interesting, I would also suggest trying The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer and Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore. Both novels follow characters who travel to different versions of their lives. All three of these books are available at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.