The Midnight Library: The Graphic Novel

The Midnight World

by Matt Haig, Fred Fordham (Illustrator)

Nora's life has been going from bad to worse. Then at the stroke of midnight on her last day on earth she finds herself transported to a library. There she is given the chance to undo her regrets and try out each of the other lives she might have lived. Which raises the ultimate with infinite choices, what is the best way to live?

Genres: Fiction, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Adult

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2026

About the author

Matt Haig is the author of novels such as The Midnight Library, How to Stop Time, The Humans, The Life Impossible and now The Midnight Train. He has also written books for children, such as A Boy Called Christmas, the memoir Reasons to Stay Alive and also The Comfort Book.

Reviews

[Matt Lillywhite]

I just found out that a graphic novel is coming out of The Midnight Library!

I'll try to be succinct and sum up my feelings in one word.

WOOOHOO!!!

[April (Aprilius Maximus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book so much. Didn’t 100% vibe with the art style though!

[Carly Krewitsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora Seed has lost her job. Her cat has just died. Her piano student is thinking of quitting piano. Nora attempts to end her life. She ends up in an in-between place: the Midnight Library. She is with her former librarian Mrs. Elm who was always nice to her when she was a child. Nora gets a chance to see what her life would have been like if she made different choices. In one life, Nora stayed in the band but her brother Joe died of a drug overdose. In another life, she went to Australia with her friend Izzy but Izzy died in a car accident. In another life she has a boyfriend named Dylan who works at an animal shelter with her. She finally finds a life she wants and chooses to live. This book deals with death, philosophy, physics, chess, and more. It is uplifting that someone with depression can get better.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

the midnight library is one of my fav books of all time and I LOVED experiencing it again through the lens of a graphic novel 🤍

of course, reading the novel through illustrations is quicker and loses some detail (inevitably), but Fred fordman perfectly captures the dark, intense, vulnerable atmosphere of nora figuring out her life.

I thought the expressions on the characters were intricate and raw, and it was definitely an atmospheric and immersive experience - it really captured the feelings of the book perfectly.

I really liked the jumping between different illustrations to represent time passing and the minimal double page spreads that focused on one image or line of text to make you ponder.

overall, a really lovely experience and a great way to dive back into one of my favourites in a new way ☺️

[Emily Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Midnight Library several years ago, and I LOVED it, even though it made me cry. It's an incredibly emotional and powerful story that reckons with mortality, life choices, and second chances (TW: suicide attempt). The graphic novel adaptation by Fred Fordham is incredible in its own right, bringing Matt Haig's story to life through beautiful artwork.

[Raelene · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

While I didn’t love this as much as the novel version, I’m still really glad that I read it. I personally don’t love the art style, but obviously that’s very much a ‘to each their own’ thing. That combined with some things I didn’t love about the novel (specifically the amount of lives Nora tries) still being pretty prominent in this are why I’m rating this slightly lower than the novel.

I loved the one-line chapter from when Nora is in Antarctica and sees a bear, and I loved the way that was shown in this! It’s been years since I first read this, and it was great how much came back to me with this. Would recommend.

[Karina Sioson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Because, Nora, sometimes the only way to learn is to live."

The Midnight Library follows Nora Seed, who finds herself in the Midnight Library on the brink of death. There, she has the opportunity to experience different versions of her life in the hopes of finding one she wants to live permanently ✨

The Midnight Library was one of the first books I read when I got back into reading, so this adaptation was extra special to me! The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous, and I loved getting to see all the different lives Nora experienced 🩵

It was a quick read and the perfect book to wind down with 🤍

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly a beautiful book—story and pictures. I wanted to try it in graphic novel form bc I wasn’t sure if I would like Matt Haig’s work, but I think I do! The storyline/writing style is kind of giving Mr. Penumbra’s 24 hr bookstore, but don’t ask me to defend why I think that. I think right now the book is only available in the UK, so it was cool to pick it up there!

[Lynda · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I make no secret of the fact I love Matt Haig’s The Secret Library so I was excited to read this graphic novel based on the original book. The illustrator is one who has concentrated on writing and illustrating literary works which is where I feel the original novel sits most firmly.

Briefly, for anyone who hasn’t read the original novel, it feature Nora Seed who has decided to end her life after her cat died and she lost her job. She takes an overdose and wakes up in a library where the librarian who was kind to her as a child is waiting. Mrs. Elm leads Nora through her life where she has the opportunity to see what path her life might have taken had she made different choices.

I did enjoy this book although I thought some of the pages were quite dark and one or two not easy to read where the print was also dark. But I loved how well the life affirming messages in the original book are translated into this genre so clearly. If you love the original book then give this a go, and if you are a reader of graphic novels and haven’t read the original book then you have a treat coming your way. A beautiful book that I will treasure.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the original version when it first came out and loved it (I love all of Matt Haig's work) so I had to get the graphic novel version. It did not disappoint. Still uplifting. Made my eyes leak again, just like the first time around. Even better I got the signed copy (Matt Haig and Fred Fordham).

[Cristian Marrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely worth the re-read after you enjoyed the original novel a few months back.
All the feels and the connections of Nora Seed are in here for you to see in color. This graphic novel is about 250 pages. You will enjoy every word and the pages will turn as you move with her. So many good lessons in here as art form. Enjoy!

[Linda · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I had no idea what this book was about but I know many of my friends had read it, so...when I saw it was available in graphic form...I decided to grab it. It did pique my interest. I definitely want to read the book now. Very philosophical.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally read the book years ago and was so excited to hear about the graphic novel, honestly amazing it was a beautiful adaptation and the artwork was stunning!

[Elena Castellini · Rating 5 out of 5]

yet another reminder of why this is my favorite book and author.

[Thea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations in this graphic novel.

[Avi-Gil · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Read the book, skip the graphic novel

[TasosBananasBOOKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely amazing graphic novel of my favourite book of all time.

[Elly Trent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very beautifully illustrated and a good quick read

[Timothy Alford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful as a novel, beautiful as a graphic novel

[Emma Wilson-Kanamori · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Life begins on the other side of despair.”

[Tineke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the book a few years ago. Loved this adaption as well. The only downside for me was that the illustrations were a bit too dark/tone-downed, making them hard to see at times.