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Friday, June 27, 2025

REVIEW - The Midnight Library (ebook)

 


The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (audiobook)


OVERVIEW

This book was originally published in 2020, and was on many "recommended book lists", and won multiple awards. So I had very high expectations. 

Well, I liked the book, but didn't love it. I truly thought it was about a library, and "real books" would help the main character find her way again. Boy, was I disappointed! 

There was a lot about physics and parallel universes, which would be a great way to really lean into the speculative fiction aspects. It could have been even wilder and included magical realism more heavily. Yes, there was some of both, not enough for my taste. For some reason, while reading this book, I kept thinking of A Wrinkle in Time and how it took speculative fiction to the nth degree.

The last twenty pages or so were the best of the book, and I would have liked that powerful writing throughout the book. 


OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars.

 

Writing: 3.0 stars

Matt has written approximately twenty-five books, including fiction, non-fiction, and children's genres.  

His writing just didn't do it for me. It wasn't beautiful, descriptive, or elegant. 


Character development: 3.5 stars

The main characters are Nora (a young woman) and Mrs. Elm (Nora's former school librarian). 

The secondary characters are Joe (Nora's brother), Dan (Nora's friend), and Ash (Nora's friend).  

The tertiary characters are all the various people, including friends and family, whom Nora interacts with throughout the book. I cannot say much more, or I will ruin the book for anyone who reads this review.    

The character development was okay. It felt as if Nora was led by Mrs. Elm to make the changes, which resulted in her introspection and her growth. I really wanted so much more.  


Storyline:  4.0 stars

The storyline about Nora, who has lost her way in her life, finds a library that helps her find her way. I wish that speculative and fiction had been turned up. The storyline was the best part of the book - it was scientific and different. Being purposefully vague here again.

The locations were Bedfordshire, Cambridge, and London, England.  


Memorable/Informative:   3.5 stars

There were some powerful quotes, but I have already forgotten them, so that says a lot. 


Book cover: 3.0 stars

Meh!    

 

Book title: 3.0 stars 

Somewhat misleading.  

 

Recommend


Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

288 pages

Viking

Release date: 8/13/2020

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Matt Haig

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Viking

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)


TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Alcohol; alcoholism; suicide; death of a parent; grief, strong cursing; cancer; gun violence; medical content


Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜


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