The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - Review - A Carlisle Book Club Member's Raw Reflection
- Ben Hickman
- Nov 24
- 3 min read
This review was written by Christine Courtney, one of our book club members, after reading Matt Haig's The Midnight Library. It's raw, honest, and exactly the kind of reflection that makes our gatherings meaningful.
Member Review, The Midnight Library my Matt Haig
"What would I do if I found myself in a library in limbo between life and death, where each book on a seemingly endless shelf represents a different life, offering a chance to undo a regret and see the alternative?
As I was reading it reminded me of a story I had written at school when I was 10, that incidentally made it into the Daily Express newspaper young writer's finalists list. Much to the surprise and delight of my English teacher. It was about a young girl that walked into an old abandoned, supposedly haunted house, and each room was different - a room full of glorious food (I was often hungry as a child, so that room was awesome), a room full of happy smiling people that seemed so happy to see me, a beautiful bedroom full of toys, and it just went on until the last room was a cemetery. Yeah, I was a bit of a dark child!
I remember walking through the cemetery, and I felt cold and tired but strangely peaceful! Anyway, I never won the prize! But as that memory came back to me it was like getting a hard pinch. It threw me back to the bat shit crazy decisions I have made in my life.
We all can identify with daydreaming about the "What if's." I know I did. Where they bad or good? My choice to raise a child alone, moving to a third-world country, facing poverty, battling cancer during a global pandemic, missed me ole grim reaper, and repeatedly uprooting my life - I've often wondered if different choices would have led to a smoother ride.
It always seemed that while people seemed to just sail across oceans without a care in the world, I was always worrying about my leaky boat with torn sails and battling to just get out of the harbour.
But reading the book reminded me that wherever I have been and whatever I have done or will do, is a lesson in life. I can only make myself happy, nobody else is responsible for it, just me. I can either think of life as a few lyrics from songs: "Life's a piece of shit, when you look at it." Or "Don't worry about a thing, as every little thing is going to be alright."
PS I loved the book!" Christine Courtney
Why This Review Matters
This is what our book club is about. Not literary analysis, but honest reflection on how books can mirror our real, messy lives. The courage to share the "bat shit crazy decisions," the leaky boats, the what-ifs - and to find meaning in all of it.
Matt Haig's The Midnight Library asks: what if you could undo your regrets? Christine's answer: wherever you've been is exactly where you needed to be.
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Join Us - Carlisle Book Club
Want to be part of conversations like this? Our monthly book club gathers in Carlisle to read books that challenge conventional thinking and create space for real connection:
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