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The Life Impossible

By: Matt Haig
Narrated by: Joanna Lumley, Jordan Stephens
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Publisher's summary

The New York Times Bestseller

“An odyssey of action and awe.”—The New York Times

“A wry and tender love-letter to the best of being human.”—Benedict Cumberbatch

The remarkable next novel from Matt Haig, the author of #1 New York Times bestseller The Midnight Library, with more than nine million copies sold worldwide

“What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet…”

When retired math teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.

Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the island, Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.

Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.

©2024 Matt Haig (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

A must-read book of fall 2024 from TIME | Book Riot | GoodReads | Library Journal | BookPage | PEOPLE | Parade | SheReads | Town & Country

“A beautiful novel full of life-affirming wonder and imagination and, at its adventurous heart, a wry and tender love-letter to the best of being human.”—Benedict Cumberbatch

“An odyssey of action and awe. . . a humble and genuinely lovely concept.”The New York Times

“Grace’s realization that everything on Earth is worthy of admiration and preservation is a message the whole world can get behind.”Associated Press

Interview: Matt Haig embraces "The Life Impossible" in his fantastical new novel about second chances

'I think it's hard to convey the experience of feeling the impossible in your own life and putting it into fiction.'
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  • The Life Impossible
  • 'I think it's hard to convey the experience of feeling the impossible in your own life and putting it into fiction.'

What listeners say about The Life Impossible

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  • Overall
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Matt Haig at his best!

I absolutely loved this book! The narration was lovely and the story enthralling! I listened to it twice and may buy the book to read as well! This is a wonderful escape from reality that does not disappoint for a moment. I was totally caught up in the magic of the story.

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1 person found this helpful

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Not for me

This book started out so strong for me, but it got tangled up in itself the last several chapters just too drawn out. Honestly, I couldn’t wait to be done with it. I expected more because I loved the midnight library. I did love the narrator. She was wonderful, but even she couldn’t hold my attention the last three chapters. Perhaps I wasn’t in the right frame of mind for this book to talk to me like it may others.

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Couldn’t relate to it

The performance was not the problem, I just couldn’t get in to the story. It was too fictional and sensational for my taste I guess. I did finally finish it but lost interest multiple times and just pushed through since I had used a credit on it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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very compelling

I really enjoyed, I did not stop listening, I could not stop listening. The story and all was fantastic!

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  • Overall
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Whimsical, Philosophical

What I almost thought would be a simple fairy tale changed into a beautifully written story about life. It’s entertaining and colorful. It touches upon life and death and lovingly caring for others and our planet. What a wonderful surprise. I highly recommend. Thought provoking without being preachy.

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Great book though a little weird

Being about the age of the protagonist, I was thrilled with the fact that the 72 year old woman was depicted as a real, fully functioning human being and not someone who is losing her mind or sick or a burden on every one around her. Very impressive character. Also, I grew up and came of age in New Age California, so all that was familiar. But, the book seemed a bit too long. Otherwise, a wonderful story!

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I LOVE this book!

I was not immediately drawn into the story. I thought it was because it was sad. Then I realized the story was not sad at all, it was amazing. I must say I binge listened! I did the whole book over two days. It was a little bit magical, a little bit ecological and totally memorable! Get this book and for goodness sake share it with others!♥️

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Acid trip

I felt like I was questioning my sanity, listening to the ins and outs of this absolutely incredible story, so well written it literally dragged you into it, and you feel like you are in the story

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1 person found this helpful

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Beautifully written and unforgettable.

I sensed the longing of the characters and began to long for the same things.

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Heartfelt and Enchanting

The book took you through so many differs emotions as this author is masterful at doing. I also happen to be the same age as Grace so it added an interesting aspect to the reflection upon the story. However, the story is timeless and hopefully will be embraced by all ages.

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