Infinite Life Options Through Multiple Universes in Matt Haig's Sci-Fi Work Midnight Library

Abstract

Drawing its strength from both science and the fantastic world of mythology, interest in Sci-fi has grown since the 1950s, making it one of the indispensable literary genres in con-temporary literature. Matt Haig, who has recently made a name for himself in the British literary community, also stands out with his Sci-fi works. Usually dealing with the dark and exciting family life in his fiction, the author attracts attention with his award-winning Sci-fi Midnight Library, published in 2020. In Midnight Library, Haig tells the story of his protagonist Nora, who is in limbo between life and death. Refusing to face her regrets, Nora attempts suicide out of a sense of uselessness. Finally, Haig offers Nora a way out by allowing her to relive her regrets in a library, where an infinite number of books are full of unfinished lives and time is fixed at 24:00. As in many of his previous Sci-fi works, Haig manages to weave theories in mathematics, physics, and philosophy into the plot of his work. In addition, the author blends popular science topics such as the parallel universe, Gestalt Theory, String Theory, Universal Wave Function, and Schröndiger's Cat Experiment with fantasy. Primarily through the multiverse theory, he presents Nora as experiencing various life options in different portals while leaving the reader in limbo that all of this may be Nora's fantastic imagination. Considering this information, this study aims to analyse Midnight Library in the context of the Sci-fi literary genre with reference to the various physics theories used by the author. © 2023 Peter Lang Group AG, Lausanne. Published by Peter Lang GmbH, Berlin, Deutschland. All rights reserved.