The concept for this book is a new take on a very old idea. Does my life have meaning? What would my family/social group look like without me in it? Am I really loved? How do I confront the regrets that continue to mount up? All of these themes are central to life in general. (It is, after all, why Scrooge and It’s a Wonderful Life are top rated movies year after year.) And this book touches on those themes with great quotes (seriously thought provoking quotes! I couldn’t stop highlighting!) and a quick study in philosophy. This book reads like a good tune up with your therapist. 

But. What this book achieved in great quotes, it greatly lacked in depth. While I understood Nora’s troubles, I didn’t connect with her. Given everything she went through, I should have felt immense empathy for her. But for me, the emotion just didn’t translate through her or her story. Nora felt very one dimensional. And while many books can be quite successful without strong character development, this one didn’t have a the depth of storyline to overcome that. Within the first 50ish pages, I knew exactly how the story would end. I understood the end game from the very beginning. And yes, it did stifle the magic for me. Honestly, there was no magic. 

The focus this book puts in mental health is to be applauded. And for that reason alone, this book is worth a read.