The Life Impossible

A Novel

By: Matt Haig

Narrated by: Joanna Lumley, Jordan Stephens

Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times Bestseller

“An odyssey of action and awe.”—The New York Times

“A wry and tender love-letter to the best of being human.”—Benedict Cumberbatch

The remarkable next novel from Matt Haig, the author of #1 New York Times bestseller The Midnight Library, with more than nine million copies sold worldwide

“What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet…”

When retired math 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 island, 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.

©2024 Matt Haig (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

A must-read book of fall 2024 from TIME | Book Riot | GoodReads | Library Journal | BookPage | PEOPLE | Parade | SheReads | Town & Country

“A beautiful novel full of life-affirming wonder and imagination and, at its adventurous heart, a wry and tender love-letter to the best of being human.”—Benedict Cumberbatch

“An odyssey of action and awe. . . a humble and genuinely lovely concept.”—The New York Times

“Grace’s realization that everything on Earth is worthy of admiration and preservation is a message the whole world can get behind.”—Associated Press

I LOVE this book!

I was not immediately drawn into the story. I thought it was because it was sad. Then I realized the story was not sad at all, it was amazing. I must say I binge listened! I did the whole book over two days. It was a little bit magical, a little bit ecological and totally memorable! Get this book and for goodness sake share it with others!♥️

Acid trip

I felt like I was questioning my sanity, listening to the ins and outs of this absolutely incredible story, so well written it literally dragged you into it, and you feel like you are in the story

Magical Realism at its Best

The whole point, it seems to me, is to be willing and able to suspend staid, old beliefs, and that you can find beauty and joy even when you reach your 70’s. In this story Grace is able to do just that - let go of pain and guilt and open up her narrow life to find miracles in everything.

Joanna is amazing! But the Spanish characters should be narrated by a Spaniard, it’s cringeworthy

The Spanish local voices sound Eastern European, not Spanish. Couldn’t you find a Spaniard to narrate the locals’ voices? It is cringeworthy to hear a Brit trying to speak like a heavy accented Spaniard. Can’t even pronounce the words in Spanish like a local!! So many people have traveled in Spanish speaking countries and can tell this is just off. Don’t do it Audible! Ruined the whole experience and was a big distraction to Joanna’s superb and expected incredible performance. Re-record the locals voices please!!

Heartfelt and Enchanting

The book took you through so many differs emotions as this author is masterful at doing. I also happen to be the same age as Grace so it added an interesting aspect to the reflection upon the story. However, the story is timeless and hopefully will be embraced by all ages.

What a fun book!

I loved this book. It talks about how people
With extreme grief are able to find themselves and beauty again. All wrapped in a fun story with magical elements.

Absolutamente increíble!

Extraordinary novel with an engaging premise and setting on the island of Ibiza, España. Besides giving such complex details of this island of which possibly many of my felllow Americans no little-contrasting with many European vacationers, the theme of climate
& habitat justice was enlightening and important.
The helpful life lessons were so many that I need to go back to review as they were salient for me and my current life journey. Enjoy this entertaining novel! Matt Haig didn’t disappoint nor did the narrator!

Beautifully written and unforgettable.

I sensed the longing of the characters and began to long for the same things.

What an incredible journey

The story drew me in. I couldn’t stop. The book is sad, spiritual, a learning experience and educational to open your mind to how to live and understand something’s aren’t explainable.

A Modern Masterpiece and Timeless Epic

In the guise of a letter to an old acquaintance, a tale of epic proportions slowly emerges. Like gentle waves lapping up along a sandy beach, this story’s undercurrent quickly draws you in and keeps you enthralled through wave after wave of ever growing growing tidal peaks, leaving you yearning for the knowledge of what will happen when the waves finally break upon the shore.

Matt Haig at his absolute best, paired with stunning narration in this audiobook presentation. Whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction, this book is sure to become a treasured addition to your collection.