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I think the book’s message runs far deeper than “life is worth living.” There are many examples throughout the book that illustrate exactly how we can trick ourselves into regretting our life choices and distancing ourselves from the people we love through guilt and unshared feelings. I think having these instances exposed can help the reader reflect on the similar regrets in their own life and how those feelings can be managed, which allows the story’s message to feel very personal to each individual reader.
One of my favorite moments in the book is when Nora realizes that by looking into her different possible lives, she could make her many regrets disappear. The idea that our regrets and guilt are often entirely unfounded and misplaced really stood out to me.
I think part of the reason Nora could not stay in the reality in which she married Ash was that she felt like it was not truly hers and that she hadn’t earned it. I think she may have also felt guilty because she knew she could have made that life for herself in her root life if she had only made a few decisions differently. I think that realization may have ultimately been the purpose of her experience in the Midnight Library, which led her to understand that her root life was still full of possibilities.
I agree that Camila is a strong and decisive person, and that made her one of my favorite characters as well. Her patience with Billy went far beyond what I would be able to manage in her situation.
Overall, I think my favorite character was Billy by the end of the book because of how much he was able to grow over the years. His struggle with addiction and regret was very believable and inspiring, and I loved how it influenced his music.
I thought the ending was a great blend of “where are they now” and space for the story to continue into the future in the reader’s mind – it certainly kept me thinking longer than if all the plot points had been tied up in a nice, finalized bow. I really appreciate that the ending was left open with the possibility of Daisy meeting Billy again, especially since they split abruptly with so many things left unsaid.
