The Midnight Library cover art

The Midnight Library

A Novel

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The Midnight Library

Written by: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Carey Mulligan
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About this listen

Between life and death there is a library.

When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself. But things are about to change. The books in the Midnight Library enable Nora to live as if she had done things differently.

With the help of an old friend, she can now undo every one of her regrets as she tries to work out her perfect life. But things aren’t always what she imagined they’d be, and soon her choices place the library and herself in extreme danger. Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: What is the best way to live?

©2020 Matt Haig (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers
Fiction Science Fiction Time Travel Heartfelt Parallel Universe
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Editorial Review

What if you could hit rewind and create an alternate life? The Midnight Library opens up that very possibility through the power and magic of books.

When she stumbles upon Mrs. Elm, the school librarian, Nora Seed has no idea of what she is about to find: an amazing new way to escape through reading. As she quickly learns, the books inside this library hold a magical power that allows her to go back and change her life. With books that teach her how to stop time and relive her past, Nora seeks to erase pain, suffering and regrets from her previous life. But, like everything, there is a price to pay for seeking perfection.

Matt Haig delights with this fantasy book full of life lessons, parallel universes and infinite possibilities. A New York Times best seller and one of the best books of its genre, The Midnight Library is full of wonder, mystery and danger. It is both a fantastic story and a cautionary tale of the problems that arise from seeking a perfect life. By following Nora as she tries on new lives— for example, living as a glaciologist—Haig carefully addresses serious issues of mental health and depression while still delivering a wondrous and uplifting tale about valuing one's own life.

This audiobook adaptation is narrated by Carey Mulligan. The renowned actor brings her professional expertise and dreamy British voice to the reading, adding perfectly to the poignant yet fantastic tone of the book. The audiobook was nominated for an Audie Award in 2020.

Featured Article: Quotes About Hard Work to Keep You Motivated and Moving Forward

Anything worth achieving is worth working for. Those goals that we reach when we really strive for them, giving it our all, are the most rewarding. Whether it is taking small steps towards your goals, shooting for a new objective, or simply dreaming those big dreams, hard work is what gets us there. Trusting in yourself and your own abilities will allow you to dig deep, put in the time, and get where you want to be. Everything is achievable with the right mindset.

What listeners say about The Midnight Library

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    3 out of 5 stars

Good not great.

The book has a great message, and the production was solid. Overall I like the concept but the book was kind of underwhelming. The writing was good just lacked an exciting climax.

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Loved this book. I hope they make it into a movie.

Makes you wonder about about other universes out there. A beautiful story I wished would not end.

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  • Overall
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Went so fast

What an original and captivating concept. I couldn’t stop listening. I will watch for his next book.

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Couldn't stop listening

I really love this one, it is such a powerful story! I highly recommend it!

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Easy read that’ll really make you think

Quite a simple listen, nothing too detailed or overbearing. The story was well written and superbly performed. It really make you take a moment and think about regrets that you may have in life. It makes you wonder what would happen had you made just one different decision.

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The best book, you won’t regret it

I can’t even begin to explain how absolutely beautiful this book is. It lives up to all of its amazing reviews. It is everything that a person needs to hear about life. Not only is the story itself captivating but the incredible narration done by Carey Mulligan really pulls you in and really makes the entire thing come alive. I’m not sure if I can find another book to top this one this year but this will surely be something I listen to again and again!

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All life's possibilities explored

Nora is depressed and despairing.  After a suicide attempt she finds herself in a bespoke library where every book is an alternate version of other lives that Nora  could have lived if she made different decisions and or pursued different paths. And honestly, if you could undo or fix any regretful decision you've made, wouldn't you be tempted?  

If this sounds like a simple plot, (and in some ways it is) it does not reflect the almost musical lyricism of Nora's thoughts, feelings and observations, and the poignancy of the lives she experiences.  These are the journeys Nora makes to experience what is fulfilling, as she discovers that sometimes the "best" lives can be worse.

Initially this is not an easy read, there are sections in the early part of the book that are almost excruciating when Nora is struggling mentally in her 'root life' or is floundering in trying to slide seamlessly into those alternate lives she explores; but this is such a worthwhile read. I want to describe it as heartfelt, that it is more than that. This novel celebrates life, and the small steps that can make any existence immeasurably better.  

This book was amazing and I highly recommend it.

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Deep, meaningful and accessible

I found this a bit depressing at the start and almost gave up but I’m so glad I didn’t. Philosophical, instructive and so rich and meaningful. Loved the dark, sardonic moments of humour and the deepening of Nora’s character as she lived her lives. I’m sure I will ponder this for weeks and months to come.

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Vey enjoyable

This was my first fiction audio book. I love reading and was afraid the narrator would interfere with my vision of the characters. This narrator was excellent! I enjoyed that she was British so her accent added to the story. Great book too- very uplifting.

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A must read!

Wow. What a wonderful story and performance by Care Mulligan. My favourite book of 2020 and definitely in my top 5 favourite books ever read.

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