The Midnight Library

Summary

• Mrs Elm introduces Nora to the Midnight Library, a place that exists between life and death, where all the different lives one could have lived are represented as books.
• Nora is confused about her existence, questioning whether she is truly dead or not. Mrs Elm clarifies that Nora is not dead and explains that death is not something one voluntarily goes to, but rather it comes to you.
• Nora identifies herself not by who she is or what she has accomplished but by the things she hasn’t become - like an olympic swimmer, a glaciologist, a wife, or a mother amongst other roles. She also reflects on her failure to be truly happy, good, or take care of her cat, Voltaire.
• Mrs Elm tells Nora that as long as the Midnight Library stands, she will not die, and alternatively prompts her to decide how she wants to live, indicating the possibility of choosing another life.