Perusing 'The Midnight Library' shelves, finding allies in depression

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was drawn into The Midnight Library when the main character (Nora's) depression surfaced as "I don't really feel like living any more," which eventually points to existential depression. This resonated with me and I've talked to at least half a dozen women for whom it is the same. My life is good, everything's going along fine, but I'm kinda over it all.

Nora's exploration of the different paths and exponential possible outcomes for every action taken in life, is intriguing up to a point. If it were "new" to me, I would've been more fascinated, but this is a familiar topic so it didn't blow me away, by any means.

What did keep me reading, however, was that Matt Haig identified this malaise and has authentically experienced it himself. I felt slightly less alone in the darkness.

As for Nora and how it all wraps up, I'll leave that for the reader. Hint: I did smile and have a moment with myself, especially after the Jean Paul-Sartre quote:
"Life begins on the other side of despair."

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