Work

The Depiction of Mental Health in Contemporary English Literature using Matt Haig's The Midnight Library

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines the representation of mental health, specifically clinical depression and existential crisis, in contemporary English literature through the lens of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library (2020). By utilizing the speculative device of a “liminal library,” Haig navigates the complexities of “The What If” syndrome—the paralyzing nature of regret. This study explores how the protagonist, Nora Seed, serves as a surrogate for the modern reader’s struggle with burnout and social pressure. The paper argues that Haig’s work marks a shift in contemporary literature toward “Radical Hope,” (Haig, 2020) where mental illness is treated not as a character flaw, but as a byproduct of a society obsessed with optimized living.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18368044

Author: Jose Philomina

Language: English

Topic: Contemporary Literature and Criticism

Subfield: Literature and Literary Theory

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7125633927

FWCI:

Cites:

Cited by:

Related to: