19th Sep
I loved The Midnight Library and was eager to listen to Matt Haig’s newest novel, The Impossible Life. In this story filled with magical realism, we travel with retired math teacher Grace Winters to the island of Ibiza as she searches for answers about her lost friend. An intriguing tale filled with wonder and hope.
The Life Impossible
by Matt Haig
Narrator: Joanna Lumley, Jordan Stephens
Length: 10 hours and 43 minutes
Genres: Magical Realism
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x
“What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet…”
When retired math teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.
Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the island, Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.
Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.
While I found the premise of The Life Impossible intriguing and enjoyed the overall story, this one didn’t hold the wonder and magic I felt with The Midnight Library. The story begins curiously enough when Grace Winters, a struggling retired math teacher, learns her former colleague has died and left her a house on the coast of Ibiza.
The story opens with correspondence from a former student whose life has taken a poor turn and it immediately pulled me in, as Grace shares her recent events and the story that unfolds.
With nothing to lose, Grace boards a plan to Spain and finds herself the owner of a rundown cottage and car. As she looks into the life and death of her friend through photos, journals, and letters, she searches for answers. On the island, she meets Christina’s friend Alberto, who introduces her to La Presencia.
While this story is like The Midnight Library, with a protagonist who has reached a low point in their lives, it did not hold the same magic. I never really connected with Grace, but felt the message of hope and new beginnings the author was conveying.
I loved the magical realism at play and the author’s intentions. The idea of the power and Grace’s use of it kept me listening. I never wanted to set the story down, such is Haig’s writing, but I couldn’t stop comparing it to his last book. In fact, it made me want to listen to The Midnight Library again.
The story is narrated by Joanna Lumley and Jordan Stephens, who both did a wonderful job. I would recommend listening. I think their narration enhanced the story.
If you enjoy Haig, as I do, I recommend listening, but perhaps request this one from the library.
About Matt Haig
Matt Haig is an author for children and adults. His memoir Reasons to Stay Alive was a number one bestseller, staying in the British top ten for 46 weeks. His children’s book A Boy Called Christmas was a runaway hit and is translated in over 40 languages. It is being made into a film starring Maggie Smith, Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent and The Guardian called it an ‘instant classic’. His novels for adults include the award-winning How To Stop Time, The Radleys, The Humans and the number one bestseller The Midnight Library. He has sold over three million books worldwide.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
