Book Review #10 The Life Impossible by Matt Haig 3.5/5

Magical Fiction (but not full fantasy). TW for untimely death and grief

What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don't understand yet . . .'

When retired Maths 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 Balearics 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.

The Life Impossible is a blend of magic and reality taking you on a frolic around Ibiza and the colourful musings circulating in Matt Haig’s mind. If you enjoyed the Midnight Library, then you’ll probably like this too. It’s an easy read and great for a holiday where you need to switch off and indulge in complete and utter fiction.

Let’s get into it…

The Story

We meet our protagonist, Grace Winters, a 70-something retired maths teacher living a muted, grey existence in England. Recently widowed and recovering from varicose vein surgery, Grace’s life has become a routine of feeling nothing in particular (which obviously means keeping all emotion very well buried where no one can get to it). One day she receives a letter that changes everything.

An old acquaintance, Christina, a music teacher Grace once hosted for Christmas (but had very little interaction with afterwards), has died, and left her a house in Ibiza. With little to hold her back in England, Grace sets off to the sun-soaked island known for its party scene, but her journey turns out to be far more than just a getaway. The house she inherits is in disrepair and holds a sense of mystery, and the locals, including a former marine biologist-turned-diving instructor named Alberto, hint at something magical beneath the surface of the island.

What follows is Grace’s journey into not only Ibiza’s literal depths—diving into the sea with Alberto—but also into a mystical world where logic and science, two concepts she clings to, begin to blur. Grace soon encounters “La Presencia,” a magical force under the water that imbues her with powers, changing how she experiences life and reconnecting her to the wonder of world. Through this newfound magic, Grace uncovers the truth about Christina’s death and embarks on an adventure to solve a deeper mystery. Whilst this is the overt plot, there is an ancillary deeper story about Grace’s own journey of healing and coming to terms with an earlier death in her life. She’s been holding on to overwhelming guilt for far too long and as the magic opens her eyes, it also breaks down those self protective walls holding all the pain in.

The Writing Style

Matt Haig is known for combining the ordinary with unusual mystical narratives, and The Life Impossible follows this pattern. The writing is easy to digest, with short chapters that move quickly. It has a first person narrator and the chapters are addressed to you as a reader which immerse you in the story. It’s a well used technique and works here. Although the chapters are snappy, some of the paragraphs are too long and unstructured without a real conclusion or point. It reminded me of watching a theatre show where the character is monologuing and no one actually cares what they are saying anymore- but they just keep going and going and once it’s over, you clap purely because it’s ended (and also, talking that much for so long is impressive!) It’s kinda of the parts of this book- bit like this sentence to be honest ;-)

All that said, Haig’s vivid descriptions of Ibiza—its red earth, whitewashed buildings, and colourful characters— bring the island to life beautifully. I visited Ibiza a few years ago for a girls holiday and stayed in Santa Gertrudis which helped me visualise the area and places that Grace visits. The vegan cafe, the bumpy roads, terrible taxis- I could picture it clearly and that bit of nostalgia kept me motivated to carry on reading (and tempted to book another holiday- note to self, I need to start reading books set in London to save my bank account from all these European holiday plans!).

The Good Bits

What stands out in this story is the obvious contrast between the bleakness of Grace’s life in England and the colour and energy of Ibiza. The way Haig places an elderly woman, not your typical Ibiza-goer, in this party island setting is both humorous and poignant. Grace’s transformation, from a woman with deep regrets who feels “meh” about life to someone who finds joy in every small moment, is a powerful message about appreciating the beauty in life. I also liked the idea that Ibiza is for everyone, not only the 20 something influencer elite.

The supporting characters, like Alberto, his daughter and the hippy people of Ibiza, are a little island stereotypical but enjoyable enough. Who wants reality anyway?? There is also a clear moral at the heart of this story—how everything and everyone is connected, how beauty can be found everywhere if you look for it. It’s a heartwarming read that encourages reflection without being too heavy.

Any Negatives?

As easy as the novel is, there are some downsides. The book tends to ramble, with unnecessary detours that don’t contribute much to the plot. Some of these random one-page chapters feel more like literary indulgence than meaningful content. There are moments where the prose feels like stream-of-consciousness, and it definitely could’ve been shorter and tighter in its pacing. Additionally, while the ending ties things up nicely, it’s predictable. The sense of mystery doesn’t quite reach the level of tension it promises, and seasoned readers may, nay, will see the twists coming.

Also, Haig labours the moral of this story over and over again - it isn’t subtle. “EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL AND WE ARE ALL CONNECTED, JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED IT”.  It doesn’t allow for you as the reader to reflect and gather your own thoughts about what the book is trying to teach. Ordinarily this would irritate me but given Haig’s mental health battles over the years (something he’s very open about), I think it’s wonderful that he’s written a book focusing on so much goodness- even if it’s over the top. Whilst it may not be clever or win any literary prizes, the fact that all this positivity could come from somebody who was struggling so much is a powerful achievement.

In Summary

Overall, The Life Impossible is a quintessential Matt Haig novel—filled with enchantment, real-world reflections. It has a clear message to pause and appreciate the world around you, and also to show yourself some compassion and forgiveness. While it may meander in places, it’s a decent summer read for those looking for something light and meaningful.

Throw logic out the door (along with your inner literary critic) and enjoy the ride.

L

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