The Midnight Train
- Judith D Collins
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
The Midnight World #2
By: Matt Haig
Narrator: James Norton
ISBN: 978-0593833377
Publication Date: 05/26/2026
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Format: Audio
My Rating: 5 Stars
When your life flashes before your eyes, where would you stop?
No one can change the past, but the Midnight Train can take you there.
The chance to re-live the moments that meant most.
To see what kind of person you really were.
For Wilbur his best days were with Maggie, the love of his life. On his honeymoon in Venice.
Before he gave it all away.
He wishes he could go back and live differently. But to do so risks everything . . .
A magical, time-travelling love story, from the world of The Midnight Library.
Praise
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2026 BY THE NEW YORK TIMES
TODAY
SHEREADS
WOMAN’S WORLD
PARADE
THE NERD DAILY
HER CAMPUS
BOOKPAGE
My Review
A sensational, deeply comforting magical novel. "A poignant, time-bending journey where a dying man is given one last chance to step into the quiet, pivotal moments of his past selves."
In THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN, international bestselling author Matt Haig returns to the beloved universe of The Midnight Library to deliver a deeply atmospheric, emotionally raw contemporary speculative novel. The story hinges on an octogenarian facing his final moments and boarding a metaphysical train to re-examine a lifetime of success, grief, and long-festering regrets. A reflective soul vs. the infinite paths of a single human life.
Elevator Pitch
On the brink of his death, a highly successful 81-year-old bookshop owner collapses from a heart attack and boards the mysterious Midnight Train, where he is offered a chance to revisit his past selves at defining moments—including the sunlit days in Venice with the love of his life—forcing him to look directly at his deepest regrets.
Setting
The narrative is split between the liminal space of a quiet, magical train station at one minute past midnight and the vivid, nostalgic English scenes of Wilbur's past, stretching all the way to a beautifully descriptive, sunlit honeymoon in Venice.
Vibe
Poetic, tender, and quietly inspirational. It pairs the reality-bending "what if" wonder of The Midnight Library with the nostalgic, reflective, and redemptive holiday gravity of A Christmas Carol.
Genre
Speculative Fiction / Magical Realism / Contemporary Romance.
Themes
The Weight of Regret
Slowing Down and Being Present
The Complex Nature of Love
Forgiveness and Letting Go
Wilbur Budd: The Traveler of Time
Turning a lifetime of material success and quiet sorrow into a profound understanding of what it actually means to live.
Standout Characters
Wilbur Budd: The 81-year-old protagonist; a wealthy bookshop chain owner who must step out of his comfort zone to confront the ghosts of his choices.
Maggie Shaw: The love of Wilbur's life; the warm, intuitive anchor of his past who understood him like no one else ever could.
Author Writing Standout
Haig’s signature gift for writing life-affirming, deeply human prose shines through in his poetic, evocative world-building. He masterfully delivers profound nuggets of emotional wisdom through a brilliantly structured, time-traveling format, avoiding preachy cliches while packing a heavy emotional punch.
Takeaway
Life is not a marathon to be won by material success; the most precious pieces of ourselves are found in the quiet moments we so easily rush past.
Title Significance
The Midnight Train acts as the literal and metaphorical vehicle for transition. It symbolizes the inevitable journey through our own conscience at the end of life, highlighting that while we cannot technically rewrite history, we can change how we carry the weight of our past.
Metaphor
The train stops and windows serve as the central metaphor of the novel. They represent a clear, unfiltered mirror to the soul—a tool that forces Wilbur to gaze beyond his constructed legacy and look directly at the raw joys, tragedies, and priorities that truly define a life.
Why You Should Read
Read this if you adored The Midnight Library, or if you love tender, heartwarming speculative tales by authors like Mitch Albom that challenge you to look closely at your own relationships and choices.
My Thoughts
The Premise: Life’s Ultimate Detour
The Vibe: Comforting Speculative Magic
The Verdict: An Instant Heartwarming Classic
"A beautiful, time-bending journey through the quietest spaces of the human heart. Matt Haig has crafted a stunning masterpiece about the heavy burden of regret and the ultimate power of forgiveness. Prepare to cry, reflect, and look at your own life a little differently."
The novel succeeds beautifully in balancing heavy existential dread with a gentle, hopeful lightness. The Venetian and English timelines are gorgeously captured, rooting the magical elements in real, tactile human emotion. Wilbur is an unforgettable lead; his flaws, vulnerability, and eventual growth make his spiritual journey deeply grounding. A masterfully executed, tear-jerking finale.
Verdict: 5 / 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A poignant, masterfully executed magical realist tale that pairs profound life reflections with a genuinely heartwarming, time-bending love story."
Recs
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (for the original, blockbuster look at alternate realities and regret).
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig (for another deeply atmospheric, comforting speculative journey into magic and second chances).
Blog Review posted @
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: May 26, 2026
May 2026 Must-Read Books
About the Author
Matt Haig was born in Sheffield, England. His novels include The Humans, How to Stop Time, and The Midnight Library, which has been a number one New York Times bestseller and sold more than fourteen million copies world-wide. His non-fiction works include his award-winning mental illness memoir Reasons to Stay Alive and The Comfort Book. His most recent fiction, The Life Impossible, was a New York Times bestseller. He has also written several children’s books, including A Boy Called Christmas, which became a major feature film. His work has been published in fifty-six languages and he is an advocate for literacy, libraries, and better mental health provision for everyone. WEBSITE
