I have heard of Matt Haig, in the same way as you might say you’ve seen a rabbit in your garden. You can’t be sure it’s the same one as yesterday, and you’re not really sure where it’s come from or where it’s going.
Anyway, let’s just say the name rang a bell for me. I picked up one of his books on my kindle library about depression; Reasons to Stay Alive. I started reading it, but for some reason didn’t venture all the way down the rabbit hole.
I like books, perhaps more than is technically or financially healthy, and so a book with Library in the title seems to be something I might consider giving a go. It’s on the same shelf as Confessions Of A Bookseller (NB still not read).
Putting my best foot forward, I have to say I really liked this book. It’s relatively snack-sized and can be read in a few determined sittings without breaking into a huge sweat. Also, whilst the topic is deep and meaningful, it’s not crammed or uncomfortably tricky to read. Matt has hit some kind of sweet spot between depth and enjoyment here.
The story follows Nora, a seemingly gravely (ahem) unhappy person who decides that life really isn’t worth living. A few pills later and she ends up in the Midnight Library. A sort of halfway house between living and death.
Books represent different lives she could have led should her decision(s) have been different as her life unfolded. Nora gets to choose alternative and entertaining lives to explore. This makes for an interesting read; you get snapshots of different existences that are not entirely predictable.
Nora explores these lives and, at the same time, explores herself and her root life.
It’s going to be hard not to spoil your read by sneezing out any further details, but I think we can safely say taking different perspectives (literally) provides a mirror with which to judge herself.
Hop into this book and give it a whirl; it’s a nibble of clover which will put a spring in your step.
