I had never read any Matt Haig before but the reviews were so good that it would have been rude not to. I was not disappointed, and I will definitely be reading more.
His depiction of depression and suicide was handled with empathy and compassion, not surprising given his own experiences. A book that might have been mawkish was handles with sensitivity and insight.
I wouldn't say that it was groundbreaking. The concept of the book reminded me very much of Mitch Albom's take on life, death, regrets, and the path not taken. I also couldn't get Scott Bakula in the TV series Quantum Leap out of my head. That moment in each episode where he "lands" in someone else's body with no idea of what is going on, and the fear of getting stuck there if he can't change someone's life for the better.
However, it was thought provoking and wonderfully written. The only chapter that grated was The Many Lives of Nora Seed, which listed some of the many lives she experienced. I didn't think it necessary, but I understand it was to illustrate that not all the lives she led were as close to her root life. Perhaps a few longer excursions into one or two of these lives might have been a better fit than a list.
Some reviews have said that Nora and the other characters were very "Young Adult" book characters in the way that they were written, but I believe that rather than detracting this added to the story. Nora's childlike and innocent view that life should be perfect or not worth it, and her regrets and blame taking for the lives of others is something that we all experience and ,hopefully, grow out of as we mature. Nora did indeed seem to go through this growth in self awareness and acceptance that life isn't always a bowl of cherries.
Even when Nora was deepest in her depression we, as readers, could still see the kindnesses around her, of Ash and Kerry-Anne. The light bulb moment for Nora when she sees this for herself, and decides she wants to live, reminded me of It's a Wonderful Life (a favourite film ). where life may not be perfect but, without her in it, it may have been a lot worse for others whose lives she touched.
When asked if I would ever go back and change any thing that happened in my life I have always said no. There have been dark times, painful times and I do have some regrets, but as this book illustrates, just changing one little thing, can have far reaching consequences and I wouldn't be the person I am now if I had, for example, simply turned left instead of right.
In these uncertain times of anxiety and depression, Nora's story is an, unfortunately, relatable one for many people, but her conquering of her own personal darkness should be a beacon of light, to give hope.
A definite contender for my favourite read of the year.
I had never read any Matt Haig before but the reviews were so good that it would have been rude not to. I was not disappointed, and I will definitely be reading more.
His depiction of depression and suicide was handled with empathy and compassion, not surprising given his own experiences. A book that might have been mawkish was handles with sensitivity and insight.
I wouldn't say that it was groundbreaking. The concept of the book reminded me very much of Mitch Albom's take on life, death, regrets, and the path not taken. I also couldn't get Scott Bakula in the TV series Quantum Leap out of my head. That moment in each episode where he "lands" in someone else's body with no idea of what is going on, and the fear of getting stuck there if he can't change someone's life for the better.
However, it was thought provoking and wonderfully written. The only chapter that grated was The Many Lives of Nora Seed, which listed some of the many lives she experienced. I didn't think it necessary, but I understand it was to illustrate that not all the lives she led were as close to her root life. Perhaps a few longer excursions into one or two of these lives might have been a better fit than a list.
Some reviews have said that Nora and the other characters were very "Young Adult" book characters in the way that they were written, but I believe that rather than detracting this added to the story. Nora's childlike and innocent view that life should be perfect or not worth it, and her regrets and blame taking for the lives of others is something that we all experience and ,hopefully, grow out of as we mature. Nora did indeed seem to go through this growth in self awareness and acceptance that life isn't always a bowl of cherries.
Even when Nora was deepest in her depression we, as readers, could still see the kindnesses around her, of Ash and Kerry-Anne. The light bulb moment for Nora when she sees this for herself, and decides she wants to live, reminded me of It's a Wonderful Life (a favourite film ). where life may not be perfect but, without her in it, it may have been a lot worse for others whose lives she touched.
When asked if I would ever go back and change any thing that happened in my life I have always said no. There have been dark times, painful times and I do have some regrets, but as this book illustrates, just changing one little thing, can have far reaching consequences and I wouldn't be the person I am now if I had, for example, simply turned left instead of right.
In these uncertain times of anxiety and depression, Nora's story is an, unfortunately, relatable one for many people, but her conquering of her own personal darkness should be a beacon of light, to give hope.
A definite contender for my favourite read of the year.