“It is not lives we regret not living that are the real problem. It is the regret itself. It's the regret that makes us shrivel and wither and feel like our own and other people's worst enemy. We can't tell if any of those other versions would of been better or worse. Those lives are happening, it is true, but you are happening as well, and that is the happening we have to focus on.”
What happens after death? Nora Seed gets to figure this out when she wakes up after living a perfectly mediocre life in an endless library. Within this library she is offered the chance to relive parts of her life had she made different decisions. What can living all the lives she never had teach her about the life she did lead?
Haig outdid himself with this book. Truly incredible, this book drew me in from the first chapter to the last. Haig takes us from polar bears to swimming pools and even rock concerts in a book which makes you give second though to your life and the everyday decisions you made and how they affect you and the world around you. I was really moved by this book, more so than I am my most novels. I feel that sometimes even the best written book, which you deeply enjoyed might not actually have an impact on your life, but The Midnight Library truly did make me sit and reflect on my life. A wonderful novel, and a great way to understand the importance of everyday decisions. 5 out of 5 stars.