Who would not want to receive the gift of a house on Ibiza? Part science fiction, part Ibizan immersion in pine scents, sun, beaches and especially the sea this is a beautiful story. What it is like to grow old and invisible and lonely but suddenly find a new impetus and purpose to life. Loved it and empathised with Grace Winters.

The Life Impossible follows Grace in her exploration of life as a 72-year-old.
Grace is no stranger to grief. She is also no stranger to not feeling.
Her life changes when she receives interesting news.
This was overall an enjoyable and easy read, Haig’s writing is balanced - not too descriptive, not too plain, the chapters are short and the novel is well-structured - you know where you are in the story at all times.
Grace is a good narrator too.
The Life Impossible is a life-affirming and positive book that deals with grief (spoiler: multiple), having a purpose in life, and human-human, human-nature connection.
It is mostly set in a popular tourist destination and shows us a different side of it, and promotes environmentalism.
The main character is an old woman +++++
The story is framed within the mentor talking about their experiences ++++
The use of supernatural - interesting, though this did not wholly work for me because I expected more layers ++
The setting (the island, the geography, the climate, the food and culture) +++++ (This aspect deserves to be explored more in my opinion)
The MC’s attempts at the Spanish and the local characters’ attempts at English or the mixing of them - cute, but at times stereotypical and clumsy. It was there for more authenticity and at times for humour but mainly for representing human connection. (The parts when the local characters used an abstract concept in English for example, and Grace’s repetition at times felt a bit forced - I suppose one reason is because this is Grace’s POV and when she gets to those points, she narrates as a third person fluent in both languages and knowing what the other party means hence there is a discrepancy in that authenticity/logic).
The MC’s voice felt slightly off - not realistic at times. for a woman her age and experience, and I wondered if this had to do with the characterisation but upon completion, I can admit that part of her voice did not get to me fully. +++
The layers, subplots, concept, the themes and how they work together ++
Characterisation ++ (the repetition of a particular character’s thinking everything must be a scam was a bit distracting and I expected the characters to be more fleshed out as they were lovely and had potential. I also expected to see more cause-and effect in characters’ present and past and more fresh ideas about their traumas, why they do what they do)
Mood +++*
Prose +++
Plot ++* (it was predictable in some parts)
The subtlety of the messages ++
Dialogue +++
The literary and cultural references ++++*
The inclusion of maths +++++ (but I expected to see more of this and throughout)
The pacing +++ (started off extremely well, then some parts got convoluted - it flows well, it is the plot points that do not expand more which made me rank it as such)

Overall, this was a positive read for me, and based on what I observe and research, I wholeheartedly believe that this will be a fan popular. It hits the marks for what many audiences like.

3/5 for me (2.5 rounded up for maths, the teacher-pupil exchange, the older MC and for showing the true beauties of the popular destination)
At least a 4/5 for many.
5/5 for many others. Enjoy this book!

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig is an imaginative and immersive science fiction and fantasy novel. Grace is the main character who finds out she has been willed a house in Iberia, Spain by a distant friend from long ago. She travels to Spain to find out what happened to her and discovers that she disappeared under unusual circumstances. Grace goes scuba diving with Alberto, a local instructor who was excommunicated from the academic world for his book, The Life Impossible. She emerges with newfound gifts that will amaze you.

I would recommend this book for fantasy and science fiction readers. It’s a wild trip in so many aspects. Grace is a charming, curious woman who has experienced heartache and loss. As she explores Spain, you feel immersed in her experiences and her journey to peace with her life. I really enjoy Matt Haig’s novels, the science fiction aspect of this novel is wonderfully entertaining.

Thank you Canongate and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Canongate & NetGalley for allowing me to read an Advanced Reader Copy of THE LIFE IMPOSSIBLE by Matt Haig.

Wow! Matt Haig has outdone himself, this book is weirdly beautiful!

The overall effect will be everlasting on me, especially as someone currently battling Depression and feeling as if my world is dull , boring and empty.

All I will say is that this is a Must Read! I highly recommend this and I will be purchasing a copy once this book is released. My whole mindset has been shifted and my eyes opened in a different light!

I really hope this story to be true in my own life as I’m feeling very much like Grace Winters.

Remember This: “Hold on, Pain Ends”

📖❤️🥰📚🫶🏼

I loved this book - quirky and not to be missed!

Grace Winters inherits a house from a friend in Ibiza - she buys a one-way ticket and sets off to find out what happened to her friend and why she has been left the house. What she finds out challenges her long held beliefs and views about the world and will force her to think again about her past and herself.

She is given a mission and the powers to meet its challenges.

I could not put this book down and it will stay with me for a long time.

Different, impressive, challenging!

I’ll admit I went into this book with no expectations, just knowing how many people rave about Matt Haig’s other books.

It starts off feeling like a feel-good, when completely out of the blue, retired Maths teacher Grace is bequeathed a run-down house in Ibiza by an old acquaintance. My favourite feel-goods have some rainy Northerness (Phaedra Patrick I’m looking at you), but I was happy to go along for the ride.

It’s a sprawling story, maths, regrets, Ibizian history and wildlife. There’s a bit of magic too.

Happy to say I was moved to tears on a for occasions, often at the most unexpected points. If you enjoy fantastical feel-good you will love this book. It’s a lesson for us all to keep exploring and always being open to new possibilities and adventures.

Thanks to Netgalley and Canongate

A book totally different to anything I’ve read before. Magical and beautiful writing. I can’t wait to read more from this amazing author

This book was a mind-bending trip! It blurred the lines between reality and fantasy in a way that left me constantly questioning what was real. The author's prose shimmered like a mirage, and every page hinted at hidden magic.

While I devoured it in one sitting, I know it's packed with layers waiting to be unravelled. A definite must-read for anyone who craves a story that lingers long after the last page. Huge thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC!

I loved this book - such a mixture of real and unreal, beautifully written and full of magical possibilities. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. Definitely one to re read and I absolutely recommend it.