Reviews tagging 'Animal cruelty'

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

188 reviews

squirrelygirlie's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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hrhjael's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.25


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chookie's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

THIS BOOK

I decided to pick this book up on a whim several months after my entire life was tipped on its head and experienced several traumatic losses one after another and was beginning to lose myself again and sight of the point of waking up on the morning. 

For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a morbid curiosity with the afterlife and “what if’s”. I’ve had to make several life altering decisions and sometimes I wonder what my life would’ve looked like if I had of made a different decision. I don’t consider these decisions regrets in the slightest but sometimes i just wonder how different my life could’ve look now if I made different choices. 

This book explores the concept of regret and making the most out of the life you’re given. As someone who has also looked down the barrel of death on several occasions and toyed with the idea of not waking up in the morning, this book NAILS what it’s like to be faced with those choices and the difference between life and death. 

Without spoiling anything I suggest that everyone reads this book, particularly if you’re feeling lost, in a dark place or navigating your 20s/midlife crisis. EVERYONE should read this book. 

Was it perfect? No absolutely not. But was it honest? Yes. Did it tackle a topic of the human condition and struggles many people face at least once in their lives in a way anyone can understand and conceptualise? FUCKING YES

Do yourself a favour and read this book. 

Characters: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
Atmosphere: 10/10
Intrigue: 7/10
Logic: 9/10
Enjoyment: 8/10

Overall: 8.7/10

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foxy_lady's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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ahopson's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

 Have you ever battled with all of the "what ifs" in life?

The Midnight Library is a novel about Nora Seed, who feels like her life has gone off track. She’s unhappy and filled with regrets, so she decides to end it all. But instead of dying, she wakes up in a mysterious place called the Midnight Library. This library is special because every book in it represents a version of her life, based on the different choices she could have made. Nora gets the chance to live out these alternate lives to see how things might have turned out if she'd made different decisions.

The book is really about dealing with regret and understanding that life is full of possibilities. Through Nora's journey, the story shows that no life is perfect, and it's okay to have made mistakes. The author, Matt Haig, uses this adventure to teach us that it's not about wishing for a perfect life, but learning to accept the one we have, flaws and all.

What makes this book relatable is that we’ve all wondered "what if?" at some point, wishing we had made different choices. The story offers hope and reminds us that the life we're living is enough, even if it’s not what we expected. The idea of the Midnight Library is pretty cool, and the story lets Nora explore a lot of different versions of her life, which I know many of us have wished we could do.

In the end, The Midnight Library is uplifting and helps us see that it’s okay to embrace the life we’ve chosen, even if it’s not perfect. It’s a good book for anyone who likes stories about second chances, finding peace with yourself, and seeing the world in a different way.

Overall Verdict:
The Midnight Library is an inspiring and thoughtful read. It’s a good mix of fiction and self-help, and it encourages you to appreciate the life you’re living, no matter how imperfect it might seem. If you’re into books about personal growth and second chances, this one’s worth reading! 

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el2319's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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pebabmey's review against another edition

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

4.25

I have an unfortunate habit of starting to mirror characters in the media I consume, for better or for worse. At the halfway point, I was nervous that it would make me miserable. Nora Seed, however, contains multitudes. This book was a delight. Although I correctly predicted the ending and the plot itself was very easy to divine, I still had a good time watching Nora's journey. Definitely a good addition to my library.

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bdingz's review against another edition

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

4.5

I understand why this book isn't for everyone. It certainly is for me, however.

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melli_sophie's review against another edition

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

5.0


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vb_marie's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

A narrative self-help book with a creative twist. The premise is different from what I've come across in this genre. However, the writing could have been a bit better.  I felt the first few chapters could have been a little shorter and less cliché. Additionally, some of the dialogue seemed stiff and unrealistic.

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