"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams...Live the life you've imagined."
What if you had the chance for a life do-over? Or the opportunity to make different choices or decisions that would alter the trajectory of the years. The ability to change those regrets we all have into things to do or not do. When Nora Seed attempts suicide, she goes to her own "between life and death" place -- a library -- where the books on the shelves offer that very thing. As Nora experiences the different paths not taken, she learns a most important lesson. NO SPOILERS.
This was definitely a book that I might never have read if it hadn't been chosen for my book group. I'm not really into existentialism or prone to long philosophical debates about the meaning of life or parallel universes. Much of the book felt like an extended TED talk full of inspirational quotes with the ultimate goal of helping the reader learn to be content and satisfied with themselves. Although the different "experiences" that Nora tried in order to undo her listless and boring existence and make something more of it were interesting, the conclusion was predictable. It was a sentimental and somewhat depressing story with a very self-absorbed Nora held up as an example of discontent who could be fixed with a change in perspective. I'm sure the narrative will provide much for discussion by a book club keen on introspection and self-examination.
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking for this e-book ARC to read and review.
This is a standalone and not part of any series.
Genre - inspirational, fiction, philosophy
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