The Life Impossible: A Novel

Matt Haig writes to stay alive—and to ask us to stay alive.

Everytime I read a book by Matt Haig I walk away in full gratitude of the miracle that is human life. The story was no different in that way, but I also appreciated how timely this felt In light of the climate disasters ahead of us. Similar to the humans, I absolutely loved the Sci-Fi side of the story and the medical appreciation weaved throughout. A must read.

Preachy and almost dismissive of the really tough challenges the book tries to take on - finding purpose in aging, grief and loss, environmental destruction... Magical realism elements felt a bit silly against those topics. Great topics, just not well executed.

I am not sure what to think about this book, other than it being very different. The protagonist, Grace Winters, is stuck in a massive rut of grief and regret at 72 years of age. She mourns decisions made including her family, who are no longer there. Then, she gets a chance to shake off the doldrums when a long-ago colleague gives her a second chance at life. At times mystical and surreal, things happen to Grace as she comes for a visit of undetermined stay to the island of Ibiza. And this is where she begins to understand her choice is to live life, and forgive herself. Or to go back to her stuck ways and life. There were parts of this book that seemed a little bit ‘out there’ that I skipped over. I never do that when I read, but just grew, dare I say it, bored? But as Grace changes and starts giving a darn about people outside of her wallowing, the story takes off. The plot device of writing an over 300-page email to a former student in his own life crisis was over the top and honestly, laughable. I might have been tempted to hit delete. But for the life-affirming theme itself, I am glad I read this book.

I was along for the ride but at one point the story takes a left turn and I got lost. Didn’t love the ending. Concept is cool. Doesn’t hold a candle to midnight library.