The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is a powerful story, made more so knowing that Mr. Haig struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. Because of this, it makes everything Nora feels and believes more convincing. 

Based on the synopsis, it would be easy to say that The Midnight Library is an updated version of It's a Wonderful Life. While the main idea might be similar, the two stories are not the same. Nora doesn't see what life would be like without her but gets to experience the many different lives she might have lived. Yes, her choices affect others' lives as well, but unlike Frank Capra's story, her time in the library does not focus on their lives. 

The library is all about providing answers to the many what-ifs people ask about their lives. It is a brilliant way to show that different life choices do not always make for better lives. Mr. Haig also emphasizes that sometimes the smallest choices have the most profound impact. It is a brilliant way to highlight that there is no way to identify one single past decision as a turning point in your life. This idea then eliminates the need for regrets because it strengthens the argument that we are all making the best choices we can based on the knowledge we have and gut instinct. No decision is correct, and no decision is wrong. Each decision just is. 

Knowing Mr. Haig's past, The Midnight Library is an excellent method by which you can get an idea of what it is like to suffer from depression. Every time Nora returns from a potential future, she finds reasons to justify her decision to end her life. It isn't rational. Often there is much evidence to contradict her decision, but sometimes there is no arguing with brain chemistry. 

The thing is that you understand why Nora feels so hopeless. Her feelings make sense based on what you know about her life to that point in the story. Mr. Haig makes her decision relatable in a way that can only happen if someone has been in Nora's shoes. That being said, as much as you empathize with Nora and accept her decision, sitting with Nora as she takes the pills and uses the library is not an effortless thing to do. Nora is too raw and too lost to be an easy character to love.

However, because Nora is so depressed for most of the novel, it makes her redemption story much sweeter. In that way, The Midnight Library is a gentle reminder for anyone struggling with depression that what they feel is just their brain telling them lies. 

But The Midnight Library is not just for people with depression. It is for all of us and the regrets we obsess about in the middle of the night. Nora's journey reminds us all that there is light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can't see it yet, and you have a bigger influence on people's lives than you know. It is a beautiful message within an impressive story. 

Carey Mulligan handles Nora's story with the delicacy it requires. She perfectly captures the entire range of Nora's emotions with her masterful performance. Similarly, she makes it easy to distinguish between the many people with whom Nora engages in her many lives. Ms. Mulligan's voice is pleasant without being soporific and engaging. Her performance made me want to keep listening. I cannot say Ms. Mulligan's performance enhanced the story, but she did make it easier to experience. I recommend this audiobook recording to anyone who is on the fence about listening to it.