This Book Gave Me a Fresh Perspective on Life
‘The Midnight Library’ transformed me as a person and helped me internalise happiness
Recently, I read an article about what people think of most when they are on the verge of death. They thought about family, friends, careers, relationships, among many other things, but one was common to all. REGRET. People at the brink of their lives had at least one regret, something that they could undo or redo in their lives. Some wished to have stayed in touch with their friends while some wished to have had the courage to be true to themselves. Some wished to have had the courage to express their feelings while some wished to have lived a happier life.
A child of five or an octogenarian, regret hits us all at least once in our lives.It can be over the simplest of things like saying something rude at the spur of the moment to something monumental like a huge decision that could alter the course of life. Often, we find ourselves wondering what might have happened if one made a different choice.These what-ifs are usually followed by a great deal of sorrow and heart-break. But what if the regret is so great that it destroys one’s will to live?
‘The Midnight library’ by Matt Haig explores the story of a woman named Nora Seed who has mounting regrets and is extremely unhappy with her life. Ultimately, the death of her cat, the loss of her job at a small shop, and ignorance of her estranged brother act as the tipping point, forcing her to commit suicide by overdosing on pills. But there is one small problem- she doesn’t die. Instead, she ends up in a place called the midnight library, a place between life and death.
The Midnight Library is a library with a gazillion books containing lives unlived. Drawn from a thought experiment named “Schrodinger’s cat” which states that every alternative possibility happens simultaneously, the midnight library implements the concept of multiverses to give Nora a chance to undo and redo every single detail in her life, giving her the ability to choose a life and live it. This not only gives Nora a chance to live multiple lives, but also allows the reader to vicariously experience them through Nora’s experience and learn many lessons in the process.
It Is Pointless To Regret
Humans are one of the few creatures who possess exceptional memory capabilities that help them remember every detail of their lives. But with this gift comes a curse, a curse so painful that it has the power to destroy our happiness. Regret is a very powerful emotion, one that has the strength to steal away one’s mental peace. Through the course of the novel, Nora comes to understand that there is no point in regretting one’s past actions. Sometimes we get too caught up with things that are not even in our control, so it is better not to dissect the past. Instead, one should focus on the now or at least try to do so.
All That Glitters Is Not Gold
Even though the prospect of living multiple lives seems enticing, Nora discovers there is more to it than meets the eye. Fed up with her root life, Nora tries to undo everything she did wrong- she tries a life in which she is married to her ex-boyfriend and opts for a simpler life, she tries a life in which she pursues music and ends up being a Rockstar and so on. No matter how many lives she tries out, her unhappiness follows her. Even though she is able to right the wrong, she still feels disappointed with herself. This makes her realise that not every life can make her happy, and that she is bound to feel dejected at one point or another.
Every Life Has Its Own Hardships
Perpetual happiness is practically non-existent. Every life is filled with a dose of happiness and an equal dose of sadness. Be it the life of an Olympic swimmer or a Rockstar or a simple girl who works at an animal shelter or a glaciologist, Nora realises that no life is picture perfect.
Happiness Is Not External, It Is Internal
One of the most important lessons to take away for Nora or the reader is that happiness is never external. It is a choice, we can either choose to remain happy at the face of adversity or let it take over our life. Nora understands that not everything has to be picture perfect for one to be happy, it is ok to live an imperfect life. Rather than letting external factors affect our happiness, we should choose to be happy regardless of them.
My Take
The story is quite cliché, but this book is still worth reading. Personally, I found this book to be more like an anodyne which calmed me and helped me understand life. The writing is filled with gem-like sentences that will leave a lasting impression on the reader. There were times when I read a particular sentence and pondered upon it for hours at length. I truly believe that anybody who is going through a tough time needs to read and savour this book. Not only did it help me soothe myself, it also changed my entire outlook towards life in general. Below is an excerpt from the book that left behind an indelible mark on me —
“The paradox of volcanoes was that they were symbols of destruction but also life. Once the lava slows and cools, it solidifies and then breaks down over time to become soil- rich, fertile soil.” — ‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig
(Despite the trials and tribulations one faces in life, what comes after is always beautiful )
