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ninetalevixen 's review for:
The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig
content warnings:
rep:
★ 2.5 stars ★
I was initially really into the premise, but this one felt slow throughout — a slight pick-up once the Midnight Library actually comes into play, then it eventually starts to drag again. For me, the main problem is that this seems intended to be more introspective/character-driven yet the protagonist isn't particularly interesting or nuanced, and the rest of the cast feels almost like an afterthought. The narrative hits most of the beats I expected (due to convention and tropes, rather than a significant amount of buildup), but that also meant the ending felt anticlimactic and obligatory rather than satisfying and/or earned.
To make matters worse, there's a lot of straight philosophizing and philosophy, lots of quoting and name-checking Famous Philosophers; despite or perhaps because of my interest in philosophy (plus the fact that I took AP Lang and still have my big binder of philosophy readings), I found this increasingly tedious. It came off preachy and didn't feel like there's much, if any, room for reader interpretation of the themes/morals and takeaways.
Still, I appreciate the #ownvoices mental health rep, and there are a handful of moments or passages where the elements aligned just right to resonate with me. And I know many other readers have really liked the book overall! It just didn't work for me.
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CONVERSION: 6.93 / 15 = 2.5 stars
Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 4 / 10
Emotional Impact: 3 / 10
Development / Flow: 5 / 10
Setting: 6 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 3 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
Memorability: 2 / 5
Spoiler
depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, suicide note, suicide attempt by OD, loss of loved ones (parents, brother, best friend; heart attack, cancer, car crash), death of pet cat, marital infidelity, mentioned alcoholismrep:
Spoiler
MC w/ depression & anxiety [Nora], gay minor char [Nora’s brother Joe], M/M minor established relationship, diverse minor char’s★ 2.5 stars ★
I was initially really into the premise, but this one felt slow throughout — a slight pick-up once the Midnight Library actually comes into play, then it eventually starts to drag again. For me, the main problem is that this seems intended to be more introspective/character-driven yet the protagonist isn't particularly interesting or nuanced, and the rest of the cast feels almost like an afterthought. The narrative hits most of the beats I expected (due to convention and tropes, rather than a significant amount of buildup), but that also meant the ending felt anticlimactic and obligatory rather than satisfying and/or earned.
To make matters worse, there's a lot of straight philosophizing and philosophy, lots of quoting and name-checking Famous Philosophers; despite or perhaps because of my interest in philosophy (plus the fact that I took AP Lang and still have my big binder of philosophy readings), I found this increasingly tedious. It came off preachy and didn't feel like there's much, if any, room for reader interpretation of the themes/morals and takeaways.
Still, I appreciate the #ownvoices mental health rep, and there are a handful of moments or passages where the elements aligned just right to resonate with me. And I know many other readers have really liked the book overall! It just didn't work for me.
-----------
CONVERSION: 6.93 / 15 = 2.5 stars
Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 4 / 10
Emotional Impact: 3 / 10
Development / Flow: 5 / 10
Setting: 6 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 3 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
Memorability: 2 / 5