a long-awaited catalyst for the "phoenix moment" of the year and a portal to my teenage ability to be fully in a book - all against the backdrop of having my life on hold.

i feel renewed. [and un-lobotomised after the talking head of orpheus from russell hoban].  

this was indeed "a celebration of life's possibilities" (The Guardian) threading through the multitude of alternative lives across an absorbing plot. beautiful concept of a library that exists between life and death and is filled with books, or rather portals leading to lives where regrets are undone.

emotionally, this is a tough read and has lots of triggers related to suicide, depression, and, on balance with life's joyous possibilities, the chances of different failures, misfortunes, imperfections, and heartbreaks. however, it reads easily otherwise, which would usually be a deal-breaker for me but not this time. sure, the lessons that the protagonist learns are often clichés, and the writing style is not for a literary connoisseur club. but as a lighter read (not in terms of mood, at least in the first 30% of the book) and as something to read for fun and simple inspiration, the book does its job. it leaves you moved by the resolute beauty and meaning in every life and reassured to let go of your regrets for the paths untaken. non, je ne regrette rien, en effet!

ultimately, the character's journey reminds us about what truly matters in life, no matter the particularities of your existence: love, social connectedness, self-acceptance, and gratitude for this one, true, root life that you've got.

Look, I think the concept was very interesting and it made a lot of good points about coming to be at peace with making choice in your life. The book explored existentialism, cynicism, purpose, connection, death and the will to live in a world filled with uncertainty. Do I think this book is an interesting study into the possibility of finding satisfaction out of your life and identifying the role of the perception of your reality in relation to it? Absolutely. Do I think it was executed as well as it could have been? No

Our leading lady Nora is struggling with things MOST people have at one point or other experienced whether it's the sudden loss of a pet or losing a job (not a spoiler). However, as we enter the world and rules of the Midnight Library, it becomes almost laughable at how on the nose the book gets. Don't get me wrong, sometimes people need to be explicitly told the message of the book (or in this case given literal quotes from philosophers) and even enjoy it. If that's you, awesome. I am not that person. Everything became predictable, generic and towards the end two-dimensional. 

The lives Nora lived were really affluent or extremeties of her 'root' life which serves a purpose but I think it would have been much more interesting to see mundane decisions change and Nora live a relatively ordinary life. It's clear that in the first and last lives she lives, she actually shows the most progress and development in my opinion (more so in her last because duh) and these were 'normal' not Olympic swimmers, rockstars, etc. I understand the book needs to actually be interesting so obviously I understand why the author exaggerated the lives but it was the 'boring' ones I liked the most.

Regardless, it's a heart-warming book and some lessons really did stick out to me. Sometimes you need to here you are in control of your perception, your actions and that you won't know if anything changes unless you stick it out and try. 

“‘If you aim to be something you are not, you will always fail. Aim to be you. Aim to look and act and think like you. Aim to be the truest version of you. Embrace that you-ness. Endorse it. Love it. Work hard at it. And don’t give a second thought when people mock it or ridicule it.”

This book just made my TOP 20. I would love for Axl and Aly to read this. The whole family needs to read-read this when we are down.

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