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The Life Impossible

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

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The Life Impossible

By: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Joanna Lumley, Jordan Stephens
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*THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN, Matt Haig's new novel from the world of The Midnight Library, is out now*

NARRATED BY JOANNA LUMLEY

The remarkable new Sunday Times bestselling novel from the author of the international sensation The Midnight Library

‘A beautiful novel full of life-affirming wonder and imagination' BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH

'What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet . . .'

When retired Maths 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 Balearics 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.

 Best of 2024 Editors Select Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Funny Feel-Good
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Critic reviews

"A beautiful novel full of life-affirming wonder and imagination" (BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH)
"Haig’s wise and moving novel is both a mystery and a love story . . . Perhaps its greatest gift lies in showing us that it is possible to dismantle the boundaries we have built, grasp the connections previously hidden, and appreciate life in all its richness" (JOANNA CANNON)
"Stunning. It's not only exquisitely written but has so much magic woven through it" (FEARNE COTTON)
"Haig’s writing is as assured and appetising as ever"
"An odyssey of action and awe . . . a humble and genuinely lovely concept"
"Okay, folks, buckle up. Matt Haig, the wonder, is back" (LEMN SISSAY)
"Weird and fantastical and lush and magical at once" (HOLLIE McNISH)
"I just meant to glance at this book, but it seized me and wouldn’t let me go. Fabulous" (JOANNA LUMLEY)
"Wise, thought-provoking and great on finding connections in unlikely places . . . The descriptions of the Spanish island are so lush and evocative . . . Wonderful"
"Wondrous . . . [a] fantastical exploration of grief, forgiveness and second chances"
All stars
Most relevant
The midnight library by Matt Haigh is one of my favourite ever books, so when I read the synopsis for this I couldn’t wait to listen to it! However I’m really sad to say I was bored. The idea of this book is great, but I just couldn’t really get into it or care about it. I think it was just all a bit too far fetched for me to invest in. Although some of the sentiment was really lovely.

The narration is great and probably one of the reasons I listened to the end.

I really don’t want to give Matt Haig a bad review because I do think he’s brilliant… this one just wasn’t for me

A bit disappointed if I’m honest

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was different and I couldn’t stop listening to it,
I recommend it to everyone who fancies being transported to a wonderful island…..

Such a lovely story

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Honestly, a bit patchy... with awful narration. I realise that La Lumley is a national treasure and this might be sacrilegious, but she's not very good here. Her Ibizan/Spanish accent veers between Russian, Dutch and a black hatted baddie from a spaghetti western. Haig must've been thrilled to bag her for this (no doubt she was hugely expensive) but a much better choice would've been Olivia Coleman who is genuinely brilliant and doesn't rely on whispery poshness rather than acting prowess.
Still.
The book is well written, albeit no Midnight Library. Haig writes fiction much better than he does self help books, and this is probably worth a read if you're at a loose end.
Probably much better read than listened to though.

more magic realism from Matt

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Joanna Lumley. And the philosophy. An uplifting and inspiring read, filled with joy and love and encouragement to overcome grief and obstacles.

Joanna Lumley makes a great story into a masterpiece

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What a beautiful, interesting story!! I loved this just as much as matts other books. I love the science fiction aspect to his books as they all have a deeper meaning pulled from real life.
I always finish Matts books feeling amazing and looking at life with wonder..but a little sad I will miss the characters that I now love so much!!

Joanne Lumley is fantastic, just like this book!!!

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