The library
Author Matt Haig Origin United Kingdom First published 2020 Genre Philosophical Fiction Pages 304 I read it Aug 2023
The Midnight Library
My review
A comforting and deeply relatable book about regrets and the choices that define us. My absolute favorite part was the chess metaphor, where Mrs. Elm reminds Nora that ‘a pawn is never just a pawn. A pawn is a queen-in-waiting. All you need to do is find a way to keep moving forward.’ It’s an incredibly beautiful reminder that even when we feel small and ordinary, we still have the power to change our lives if we just keep taking one step at a time. While the plot felt a little predictable toward the end, the emotional core and these moving philosophical insights made it a very worthwhile read.
My favourite quote
‘You need to realise something if you are ever to succeed at chess,’ she said, as if Nora had nothing bigger to think about. ‘And the thing you need to realise is this: the game is never over until it is over. It isn’t over if there is a single pawn still on the board. If one side is down to a pawn and a king, and the other side has every player, there is still a game. And even if you were a pawn – maybe we all are – then you should remember that a pawn is the most magical piece of all. It might look small and ordinary but it isn’t. Because a pawn is never just a pawn. A pawn is a queen-in-waiting. All you need to do is find a way to keep moving forward. One square after another. And you can get to the other side and unlock all kinds of power.’ Nora stared at the books around her. ‘So, are you saying I only have pawns to play with?’ ‘I am saying that the thing that looks the most ordinary might end up being the thing that leads you to victory. You have to keep going. Like that day in the river. Do you remember?’
