The Midnight Library
by Matt Haig
Contents
No Longer Here
Overview
Nora visits Oak Leaf Residential Care Home to reconnect with Mrs Elm but learns the librarian died three weeks earlier. A mistaken encounter with Mr Banerjee underscores Nora’s disorientation between lives. The news removes Nora’s guiding figure, forcing her toward acceptance and self-reliance in her chosen life.
Summary
Nora arrives at Oak Leaf Residential Care Home and immediately sees Mr Banerjee, a frail former neighbor, arguing with a nurse about going into the garden. Believing their past connection still stands, Nora introduces herself as his neighbor from Bancroft Avenue, but Mr Banerjee insists he hasn’t lived there for three years and doesn’t recognize her. Realizing her mistake, Nora backtracks and blames memory issues, highlighting her disorientation across lives.
Nora proceeds to the reception desk, where a mild-mannered, red-haired Scottish receptionist searches for her earlier message. She explains she isn’t family but wishes to visit her former school librarian, Louise (Mrs) Elm, to offer company.
The receptionist, surprised, informs Nora that Louise Elm is “no longer here,” having died peacefully in her sleep three weeks prior. Shocked, Nora looks to the chess set she brought to share a game, then thanks the staff and quietly leaves, carrying both the unplayed set and a muted gratitude for Mrs Elm’s past kindness.
Who Appears
- Nora SeedVisits Oak Leaf Care Home to see Mrs Elm; mistaken about Mr Banerjee; learns Mrs Elm died three weeks ago and leaves quietly.
- ReceptionistRed-haired Scottish receptionist who checks records and tells Nora that Louise Elm died peacefully three weeks ago.
- Mr BanerjeeFrail resident and former neighbor; wants the garden, mentions son Dhavak; doesn’t recognize Nora, says he left Bancroft Avenue years ago.
- NurseExasperated nurse trying to deter Mr Banerjee from the garden and steer him to scheduled activities.
- Louise Elm (Mrs Elm)Nora’s former school librarian; absent here, revealed to have died peacefully three weeks earlier.