The Life Impossible
The Life Impossible ~ Matt Haig
Grace Winters is 72 years old, a retired maths teacher who is recently widowed. She has lived in a state of grief and guilt since the death of her young son decades earlier, a death she blames on herself. She is depressed and bored and full of self-hatred. One day, she learns that she has been left a house on the Spanish island of Ibiza, by a co-worker from over 30 years ago, Christina, a woman she didn’t know well, but whose life she impacted mightily. She decides to leave her home in England and go to Ibiza and check out the house, and see if she can find out what happened to her friend, who ‘died at sea’. That’s in quotes, because no one seems to know exactly how she died, and her body has not been found.
In Ibiza, she meets several of Christina’s friends, and surprises herself by accepting invitations to have adventures and learn to find pleasure in life again, to enjoy a glass of orange juice or dancing to electronic music. Because this is a Matt Haig book, there is a magical realism factor to the story. A sentence that made me laugh out loud: “His slappable face continued talking.” I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Highly recommended.
26 Comments
Tobia | craftaliciousme
All my book club friends were realy disapointed by this book a crowned it the wort book or deispapintment of the year. But you liked it. So maybe I will try to read it. But I probably won’t want to buy it.
J
It just goes to show you that taste is subjective I guess. I really liked it. Get it from the library if you can.
Lisa’s Yarns
I am planning to read this one, too! I am glad you liked it so much! So far we are 2/2 in terms of books I haven’t read!
J
I hope you like it as much as I did!
Kyria @ Travel Spot
I think I am a little hit and miss with Haig. I have only read The Comfort Book which was good, and The Midnight Library, which was weird and pretty good. My Mom really enjoyed The Humans, but I did not read it yet because neither of his other books WOWED me. So far, I have not read any of the books that you have reviewed either! Have you read The Humans? If so, what did you think?
J
I have not read The Comfort Book. I did read The Humans, and I liked it. I liked The Midnight Library and How to Stop Time more, though. All of his books (that I’ve read at least) do have that magical realism aspect, and so are kind of weird.
Ernie
This sounds like a good book. I really like the premise. So interesting. I’m not a fan of magical realism though, so not sure if I’ll read it. Maybe?
J
Ernie, if you’re not a fan of magical realism, I think Haig might not be the author for you.
Margaret
I need to read something by Haig since I’ve heard so much about him. I like magical realism as long as it’s well-written.
J
I really enjoy his writing, give him a try! I liked ‘The Midnight Library’ so much, I read it twice.
Tierney
I’m so excited about your month of book reviews!
J
Thanks Tierney!
Jenny
Hm! I haven’t read anything by Matt Haig. The premise of this one- at least the way it starts- makes me sad. But overall it sounds pretty good. Maybe I’ll give it a try- I don’t mind a little magical realism.
J
Yeah, she’s really sad at the beginning of the book. I was glad to see her growth throughout the book.
Meike
I decided Matt Haig is not for me. The stories are good but I just can’t handle his writing style. It’s really too bad since I liked the premise of “How to Stop Time” but it was so slow. I a, glad you enjoyed this one!
J
I’ve seen lots of comments that people LOVE his books, and others that HATE his books, so it’s definitely subjective.
NGS
I’m not going to read this book, but I am going to wonder over and over again if someone I barely knew will leave me a house in Europe. FINGERS CROSSED.
J
I think if it were going to happen to someone, Engie, it woud be you! (That’s a compliment, because the reason this woman leaves her the house is because of the kindness and encouragement that she shows her when she really needs it.)
Karen Meg
I’ve loved Matt Haif since the Humans and really enjoyed the Midnight Library, I’m not usually so into fantasy type stuff but I like his humorous style. I have this one on my TBR list too…
J
I hope you enjoy it!
coco
I’ve read the midnight library and really enjoyed it. Haven’t heard of this one, thanks for sharing.
J
Thanks Coco, if you give it a try I hope you enjoy it!
Daria
I only read the Midnight Library by his and loved it albeit I know that regadera had mixed feelings about that book. Thanks for the review!
J
Yeah, I loved Midnight Library. I read it twice.
Allison McCaskill
I always find the synopses of Matt Haig books engaging, and then something in his actual writing is lacking for me. I think I always want it to have slightly more of an edge. That’s a me problem, obviously. Glad you enjoyed this, it sounds quite lovely.
J
Interesting, I love his writing. You’re right, not a lot of edge to it.