Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

115 reviews

purplehulk713's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is one of the most exquisite and compelling books I’ve ever read, and it spoke to me on such a direct, spiritual level. It felt like truth. From beginning to end, it was insightful, and so readable, too. While many books with existential themes like these can come off as dense and tedious to read, this novel was wildly engaging and incredibly uplifting. Haig was remarkably poetic in his prose, and many of his quotes will always echo in my soul. Like
”The paradox of volcanoes was that they were symbols of destruction but also life. Once the lava slows and cools, it solidifies and then breaks down over time to become soil—rich, fertile soil. She wasn't a black hole, she decided. She was a volcano. And like a volcano she couldn't run away from herself. She'd have to stay there and tend to that wasteland. She could plant a forest inside herself.”
I think it cured most of my existential anxiety (as long as I remember these quotes). “‘You don't have to understand life. You just have to live it.’” Nora’s journey, finally realizing that life gives meaning to life, as Wendy Mass says in Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, and
realizes that perspective of your life is what matters, not the nature of it.
But the most important thing is that you are alive. Life isn’t to be lived to please others and fulfill their dreams. You will gain a much greater understanding of your regrets and how to resolve them. Nora Seed embodies so many of the things with which we find ourselves uncomfortable, so it’s all of us can empathize with her journey. Come, check out a book—there are plenty of lives to live in the Midnight Library.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This is a really interesting concept, and I think it does a good job being honest that life is hard, and no matter what choices you make, it will be hard in different ways. But you have to choose where to find your joy (and also get the mental health help that you need!). I liked this book for an easy read because it was a tad formulaic.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kcruzoyola's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jlaz_13's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

arbramirez's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

teddy_moon's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

calicat42's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This books really makes you think and you never are quite sure where you end up. It’s an adventure through your scariest questions and regrets.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

camoo3032's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This a cute, uplifting book. You can't help reflecting on your own life when you read it. It's a very interesting concept but it can be a bit didactic. The ideas the author is trying to convey are a bit on the nose at points. I wouldn't say it's a must-read for everyone but it's certainly an enjoyable book
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

morgiano's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ella__'s review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Expand filter menu Content Warnings