Book Review on Matt Haig's The Life Impossible

I’ve just finished reading The Life Impossible by Matt Haig. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to enjoy it that much (in fact, I only bought it because it was half price!). While, my post shows I liked The Midnight Library well enough, I did, if I’m honest, find myself getting a bit bored of all the different journeys Nora went on.

However, back to The Life Impossible—I really loved it. It’s one of those books that has truly resonated with me and given me so much to think about. I have a funny feeling I’ll be recommending it to everyone willy-nilly!

In brief, The Life Impossible tells the story of Grace, a retired maths teacher from Lincoln of all places (which, in the very opening pages, Haig claims is in the Midlands—well, as someone from somewhere very close, I’d argue it’s in the North, but setting that aside…). Grace is dissatisfied. She is suffering from anhedonia—she is existing, not living. Since her husband, Karl, died four years ago and her son, Daniel, passed away at 13—a death she blames on herself—life has felt utterly meaningless.

That’s the backdrop. Then we learn she has been left a house on the island of Ibiza by an old work colleague, Christina van der Berg, with whom she once spent a single Christmas Day. Christina had been lonely, so they shared a fun day together, but that was pretty much the end of their friendship. Shortly after, Christina went off to live her dreams. Fast forward to an email from Maurice Augustine, a student Grace once taught, whose life isn’t going well. Grace responds with a long email, and in doing so, tells both Maurice—and us—her story.

So, the story takes Grace to Ibiza, where she sets out to learn what happened to Christina. We soon find out that Christina’s life had been anything but ordinary—she had discovered something extraordinary. Beneath the waters surrounding the island lies La Presencia, a mysterious and ancient force of energy. It is said to hold immense power, and Christina had been given its gift, using it to see the future, read minds, and influence the world in ways few could imagine. Now, she has chosen Grace to continue her work, believing she is the right person to carry it forward. But for Grace, this was never something she sought—receiving the gift forces her to confront her deepest feelings, her grief, and the life she has been merely existing in. Whether she wants it or not, she can no longer hide from herself.

As Grace uncovers the truth, she meets others along the way who have their own connections to La Presencia. There’s Alberto Ribas, a diving instructor who understands more than he lets on, and his daughter Marta, who is determined to preserve the island and its secrets. Then there’s Art Butler, a real estate developer whose plans to commercialise the island pose a direct threat to everything they are trying to protect. Once discovered, he presents as a classic villain—driven by greed, blind to the consequences of his actions—but like all the characters, there’s more to him than meets the eye. His motivations are complex, and as the story unfolds, we see that he too is shaped by his past and what has happened to him.

Thematically, the novel has an important environmental thread running through it. Haig explores the fragility of our natural world, the damage caused by human intervention, and the responsibility we have to protect what we can. The contrast between the timelessness of nature and the fleeting nature of human existence is a theme that lingers long after the final page. It works well in the setting, and it is clear that Haig knows Ibiza well, having lived there for several years himself.

Overall, The Life Impossible works well. Grace is a likeable and vulnerable narrator. I liked her a lot and could suspend my disbelief enough to buy into her story, to care, and to understand. Ultimately, it’s a story of regeneration. It is successful. I imagine some people may tear it to bits because it’s so accessible and, I guess, unbelievable. Having said that, I was happy to believe the scientific interpretations 100 percent. Who is to say what is out there? As I say, I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend it for anyone needing a lift and with a desire to make sense of both an ultimately meaningful and meaningless existence.