Grace Winters is lonely and depressed following the deaths of her husband and son. When she unexpectedly inherits a house in Ibiza, from an old acquaintance, who is presumed dead after going missing at sea, Grace’s life is turned on its head. Before she knows it, maths teacher, Grace, has her logical world view challenged as she endeavours to find out what happened to her friend.

I was so excited when I heard Matt Haig had a new book. Very unoriginal, but like a lot of people, I loved The Midnight Library. I love his writing. I love the richness of his characters and how he effortlessly drops in philosophical statements that seem almost poetic.

In The Life Impossible, Grace is a flawed character, wracked with guilt and ill-feeling towards herself. Seeing her progression throughout the book is so heartwarming. She is surrounded by a host of similar characters who could be described as odd and not the most easy to connect with. I love the empathy that Haig writes with, and the kindness he shows to his characters. How he writes Grace, a 70-odd woman with care, without being condescending or over-simplistic, is impressive. I love the lives and eccentricities he gives his characters; even if they are simply strangers that are unnamed in the background (without giving much away, this will make more sense once you’ve read it).

At the start, I wasn’t quite sure how I’d get on with the maths and scientific elements of the book. I decided to go with it. Whilst he hasn’t quite converted me to studying them, I did like the parallels between numbers, sequences and symbols, and language and philosophy. I suspend my disbelief and enjoyed how the sci-fi element enriched the plot and character progression.

The story flows nicely with shorter punchy chapters making it easy to read. It can get a big abstract at times, which I personally like to break it up a bit and keep the reader on their toes. In terms of tone, I would say there are definitely dark and challenging themes, which are counterbalanced by dry humour.

I cannot recommend this book enough. If you are a fan of Matt Haig’s earlier work, you will love it. For people who haven’t, I would recommend it for people who want a quirky uplifting read with a smattering of philosophy.

Mark my words, your social media feeds are shortly about to be filled with quotes taken from Matt Haig’s latest novel, ‘The Life Impossible’.

He has shown in his previous books that he can take thoughts and feelings that many of us can relate to and put them into words incredibly, incredibly well. ‘The Life Impossible’ is no exception. In fact, it’s the best he has ever written.

‘The Life Impossible’ follows a retired mathematics teacher called Grace as she leaves behind her quiet, predictable life in the UK and travels to the island of Ibiza, having been unexpectedly left a house there by someone she once worked with. The novel is written in an epistolary style, as Grace recounts her journey as a reply to an email written to her by a former student, and as a result the reader feels as if she is speaking directly to them.

What follows is not just a beautiful story about self acceptance, recovery from grief, and the kindness of others but is also a remarkable love letter from Haig to the island itself. He is already well known for the gift of being able to write about the human condition, but his descriptions of the Ibizan landscapes and culture are rendered beautifully, carefully and are truly heartfelt.

‘The Life Impossible’ reminded me a little of ‘Isaac and the Egg’ by Bobby Palmer. A little suspension of belief is required at first, but soon is accepted as an integral part of the story – and perhaps, maybe, might not be so unlikely, as the title of the book itself suggests!

I loved this book, felt the love contained within it, and genuinely felt better about myself and about life in general after reading it and will go out and recommend it to everyone.

I’m extremely grateful to the publishers for the advance copy on which this review is based.

Grace is in her seventies and feels old. She exists rather than lives. Her son died when he was young and she carries guilt over that. Her husband died a few years ago and she carries the guilt of a brief affair.
When she receives a solicitor's letter telling her she had been left a house in Ibiza, she is confused as she hasn't seen the person who left it to her in many, many years.
However she goes to Ibiza and her life is changed. In turn she changes the lives of many people.
A gorgeous story and a joy to read.

The Life Impossible is a beautiful, magical, feelgood book that scoops you from the first chapter and wraps you in a warm, loving blanket. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who can read, it's just wonderful.
As a woman in her seventies who has lost a son I was overwhelmed by Matt Haig's ability to bring Grace Winters to life in such a well rounded and empathetic manner.
I spent a short time in Ibiza over twenty years ago and now I want to go back.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my early copy.

I tried to approach this with a positive open mind which worked to start with. I enjoyed how Grace gradually relaxed and allowed herself to enjoy things. However once the supernatural kicked in I lost belief in the story.

I have read and enjoyed quite a few books by this author. This was definitely another winner...
We start with Grace Winters who, quite out of the blue, is left a run-down house on Ibiza by Christina, one of the students she taught back in the day. She's confused as to why her, but decides to go visit to check it out anyway.
The house itself is as already described, a bit old, tired and run down. But a letter she finds, along with a strange jar of "something" does pique her interest and intrigue and, despite warnings to the contrary, sets off to go see Alberto, one of Christina's closest friends...
And so begins a rather strange story which for the life of me I can't even start to work out how to explain without spoilers, so I won't. I think you're best off learning all about what is to be found under the ocean at the same time as Grace, and as the author intends... Suffice to say, go in with an open mind and just let it all wash over you... It's magical and wonderful and heartwarming, and all things in between...
Its a book that, as with most of his offerings, can be read on many different levels, depending on how deep you want to take it. There are echos of hope, of embracing the life you have, of acceptance, all wrapped up in some wonderful magical realism. It's definitely one that I will ponder for a while yet, some of the things that resonated with me are definitely worth a second look... I can't wait to revisit it on Audiobook.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I'm a fan of Matt Haig books and have loved his way with words and heart-warming stories. This book starts as a usual feel-good story about a retired maths teacher who is mysteriously left a run-down house on Ibiza. In taking the leap to go and explore the house and eventually move there, she gets out of her day to day existence where she has not really been living and afraid to let go of her grief and guilt and live again. The story definitely moves into more fantastical realms along with a strong eco-message that I appreciated.

I have to say though unfortunately the story itself did not grip me as much as Matt's previous novel.s. I didn't find myself reaching for it as often or eager to know what happens next and the story felt a bit too slow at times. Overall a pleasant read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

I really enjoyed this book. I don’t tend to read many books with anything supernatural or remotely fantasy but I enjoyed the other books I’ve read by Matt Haig so wanted to give it a try. I’m so glad I did, I loved the characters, I thought their journey was brilliant. I would have liked t learn a little more about mourice but other than that it was just a delight. I particularly liked how all of the supernatural was linked to and backed up by science so it felt more real.

This is the third book by Matt Haig which I’ve read. Despite knowing that he includes fantasy elements in his novels, I was still surprised when it suddenly turned in that direction, especially as it started out as more of a “real-life’ story. Having said that, Matt Haig’s writing is just superb. He obviously knows Ibiza intimately and his descriptions of its fascinating culture and natural bio-diverse eco-system make me want to visit!

At the heart of this brilliant story is his clear desire to raise awareness of mental health issues and the importance of looking after your mental health. Grace Winters is such a complex character who faces some hard mental challenges through her life and Matt Haig handles these topics with sensitivity. Care for the environment is another key theme. I particularly liked the idea that everything in the world is intimately linked together and is also essential to our mental health. I’m passionate about the environment and how it links to our mental wellbeing so this really appealed to me. I find his writing to be so full of wisdom and there are so many quotes I would happily print out and stick on my wall!

An unusual story with unexpected twists, brilliant morals and life lessons, I’d definitely recommend, especially if you like a bit of fantasy!

This wasn't quite what I was expecting from the blurb - yes it is the story of retired teacher Grace, who heads off to discover a new life on Ibiza - which is exciting and eye-opening; but the strangeness of the story is other-worldly and alien - a bizarre glowing presence which inhabits Grace giving her clairvoyant and other peculiar powers.

I enjoyed the story, but I wasn't expecting quite so much other-worldliness. Great to see a different side to Ibiza though.

I loved The Midnight Library and really wanted to love this,but, although there were some really astute references to grief and life, it was just a bit too weird/too many supernatural references for me

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This book is beautifully written with relatable characters, particularly the main character, 72-year-old retired maths teacher Grace, who gets left a house in Ibiza by a friend she hasn't seen in years. I've not been to Ibiza, but the descriptions have made me want to go there. If you loved Matt Haig's previous book, The Midnight Library, you'll enjoy this thought-provoking story, with a touch of magical realism thrown in to emphasise the message.

I read daily, and I've read a lot of books over the years, and most of them you tend to forget very quickly, as they don't really connect with you on an any real emotional level.

This book doesn't just connect with you straight away, it won't let you let go during, and after you have finished reading it.

A story for our current times, where what you thought you knew beforehand, you become no longer certain of anything.

Take the journey, and see where this story takes you, and then share it with those people you care about, and actually even with those you don't care about.

Why not.

This was such a beautiful and magical read overall, I am very glad I read it and would have no hesitation is recommending it to others.

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig is an unnusual book full of magical realism and initially I was sure what to make of it.

The book begins with retired school teacher Grace Winters receiving an email from an old pupil who was having a rough time.

"I look at what is happening in the world and I see that our whole species is on a path to destruction. Like it programmed, another pattern. And I just get fed up with being a human, being this small tiny thing that can't do anything about this world. Everything feels impossible."

Grace shares her story with him, an unbelievable story at that.

"What I am about to tell you is a story even I find hard to believe."

Grace Winters stopped having a purpose in life when her son was killed in a traffic accident back in 1992. She has lived wirh the guilt ever since. Now she lives alone in a bungalow in Lincoln after the death of her husband. She lives a lonely existance, the only things that spark joy are the birds outside her window.

Being from Lincoln myself it was quite jarring to see it mentioned casually so frequently within the text. It made me realise how few books I have read which mention it.

"Once upon a time there was an old woman who rarely left her bungalow, except to see the doctor, help at the charity shop, or visit the cemetary. She didn't garden any more. The grass was overgrown, and the flowerbeds were full of weeds. She did her weekly shopping. She lived in the Midlands, Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The same orange-bricked market town that she had stayed in - apart from a brief stint at Hull Ubiversity centuries ago - all her adult life.

You know the place.

And it wasn't so bad, but it's streets were less welcoming than they used to be. It was hard to see her fond memories covered in chipboard and ripped posters."

A change comes in her life when a colleague she once showed kindness to leaves her a villa in Ibiza , once there a change comes over her and Grace learns what it means to trully live.

I enjoyed the ecological slant to this speculative fiction and the different light in which Matt Haig showed this susposed party island.

For me this was a curate's egg of a book. Parts are wonderful and a delight to read, other elements less so.

A huge positive is having an older central character - Grace aged 72, a retired maths teacher who is neither patronised nor imbued with excessive wisdom, two things that are often the case for older characters in novels. She is a pragmatic flawed individual, sent by grief into a state of anhedonia, unable to feel much of anything. She is gifted a house in Ibiza in unusual circumstances and there is touched by La Presencia which gives her hyper appreciation and feeling. This much, along with the central message of appreciating and living with nature, is a delight. But the plot veers into alien life visiting earth, I don't want to give spoilers so I will leave it at that, but for me this and other supernatural forces just began to make the novel feel rather ridiculous and rather spoiled the joys of nature hitherto described.

I can see from other reviews that I'm a bit of an outlier and I still enjoyed reading it. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

An act of kindness in the past, leads to retired maths teacher, Grace, inheriting a house in Greece. She is emailed by a former student asking for help - the answer he receives is not what he expected as she shares how she has achieved peace through other-worldly experiences.
As ever, Matt Haig pushes the boundaries of belief whilst exploring grief, hope, the need to belong and to protect the world in which we live through characters who come to life on the page. This is a book that leaves you feeling warm and connected.

An email from a former pupil prompts retired math teacher Grace Winters to reply with her experiences.
At first you think: what kind of wacky baccy has this level-headed woman been on? When, being at a personal low, she inherited a ramshackle house on Ibiza from an ex-colleague she barely knew, she goes there on a whim. Once there, weird things start to happen and weird encounters threaten her ruler-straight beliefs, in fact turn her every thought inside out.
At times, this book was a bit too esoteric/tin foil hat for me, at other times I enjoyed the “unwrapping” of Grace.
The vague pseudo-scientific waffle was a bit annoying, though:
“And the bioluminescent photons of La Presencia interact with the bioluminescent photons within us, because light gets through and inside everything. And, via the triggering of a stunningly complex hormonal response and a kind of biological information transfer, these new photons untap our potential.” Oh, my…
Even the bits leading up to the truly “out there” bits were hardly logical and the eco message permanently rammed down the reader’s throat was both patronising and tiresome: “She sparkled, thanks to the eco-friendly biodegradable body glitter on her cheeks.”
Sweeping generalisations galore: Developers are evil, eco warriors are to be idolised, politicians are corrupt.
And: This is NOT general fiction, but fantasy.

The Life Impossible is a strange and mystical read from author Matt Haig. I loved The Midnight Library so I've been really looking forward to this one. My thanks to Netgalley and Canongate Books for providing me with an ARC for review purposes.

Grace is a retired maths teacher. She is also widowed and her life is filled with sadness and regret. Then out of the blue Grace inherits a house from an old friend she hasn't seen for years. With her curiosity piqued, Grace books a one way ticket to Ibiza to investigate her new house. She is completely unaware that the island will change her in the most profound way.

I love the authors writing style and I found myself easily swept away to the magical island of Ibiza. The plot is reflective and thought provoking and has definitely left a lasting impact.

I normally love Matt Haig's books and to start with I thought this was going to follow suit but I was disappointed. The, what do I call it? Magical, mystical element just didn't fit with me and I like fantasy books!
I liked Grace Winters the protagonist of the story and felt for her in the beginning but then it just started to get a bit unbelievable.