Title- The Midnight Library
Rating– 4/5
Genre- Whimsical fantasy, literary fiction
POV- Third person, past tense
Trope- Philosophical, “What if?”
Similar/Comps– Where the Forest Meets the Stars (On my TBR)
My emotions- grateful, sentimental
Characters–
Nora- must search within herself to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living
Plot/Blurb-
Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices . . . Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?
The library contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself?
Best part-
Page 277 almost made me cry. Which is great because that is rare.
What I’d change-
I felt like the character should panic more every time she entered a new life since she had no idea who anyone was.
Comments-
Midnight Library has an intriguing concept that really pulled me in. As a 34 year old, the theme of regrets was very relatable. I even had a recent conversation with my high school friend that I’ve known for 20 years about “what if’s…” so I thoroughly enjoyed the philosophical concepts. Sometimes it felt too preachy, but overall the idea really resonated with me. Instead of being a wife with two jobs and two kids in North Carolina suburbs, I could be a solo freelance photographer in the Philippines. I’m glad I always come back to the conclusion that this is the only life I’d want. Living in the present moment helps me reconnect to what matters.
Prose-
The writing style was a bit strange with lots of telling and info-dumping but I’m wondering if it was purposeful with this style.
Quote-
“Never underestimate the big importance of small things.”
Cassie Swindon 