Yordi Verkroost

I’m not sure if I’ve ever read a book from the nineteenth century before. Not out of choice, at least, as I'm not counting the fragments of old Dutch works we were forced to read in school.

But, over the last few days, that has changed.

On a recent city trip, I wandered past a large bookstore and noticed an entire shelf packed with old classics. One of the titles stood out: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells. The book caught my attention partly because it was featured in the popular Netflix show Dark—(or maybe it wasn’t?). Either way, it got my attention, and I decided to give it a go.

The story, as the title suggests, revolves around a time machine, invented and used by one of the main characters to explore the future. And I mean a far future—we’re talking about the year 802,701. As I read, I discovered a story about a civilization that had split in two: the elite, who live above ground, and the lower class, who live underground. After a close escape from this future world, the protagonist travels even further forward in time, arriving at a future where all life seems to have disappeared and the sun is close to burning out.

I wasn’t certain of the book’s broader message, though. Was it simply an adventure, or was it trying to say something more deep? Comparing it to today's world, the story could offer a tale about humanity’s choices—how we treat each other, and how we (fail to) care for the world we live in. Reading this novel today adds a layer to it, reminding us that these warnings are more important than ever. It’s a timeless message, and one that cannot be repeated often enough.

Nora Seed feels lost in life. So much so that she decides to end it. But instead of jumping into the endless black, she finds herself in The Midnight Library. This isn't an ordinary library. It’s a mysterious one, where each book contains a version of the life she could have lived. It’s like a multiverse of possibilities, where every decision she ever made takes her along onto a different path.

As Nora explores these alternate lives (becoming a rockstar, an Olympic swimmer, a loving mother) she discovers that none of them fully connects to what she sees as the "perfect life". Each one offers its own mix of hapiness and sadness, and some more fulfilling than others, but none seem to give her constant joy. Most importantly, these alternative versions don’t feel like her life, the life she has lived up to now.

In the end, Nora realizes that the life she had been living is the one she connects with the most. She just needed to see the alternative options life always provides, as long as you open yourself up to them.

The Midnight Library is a perfect read for anyone feeling stuck, haunted by regrets, or convinced they’ve made mistakes that can't be undone. While the ending is predictable, the book’s message is still inspiring and gives a reminder of life’s potential.

Most important learning: models and reality don't always align.