You just had to never give up on the idea that there would be a life somewhere that could be enjoyed.

[shootingstar]

Nora came to understand something. Something Hugo had never fully explained to her in that kitchen in Svalbard. You didn't have to enjoy every aspect of each life to keep having the option of experiencing them. You just had to never give up on the idea that there would be a life somewhere that could be enjoyed. Equally, enjoying a life didn't mean you stayed in that life. You only stayed in a life for ever if you couldn't imagine a better one, . . .
(The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, episode The Many Lives of Nora Seed)

Why does the author use "had to never give up" in "You just had to never give up on the idea. . . " instead of "must never give up"? I suppose "must never" could apply to the context much better.

 

[teechar]

Why does the author uses "had to never give up" in "You just had to never give up on the idea. . . "

The sentence is in the past tense. Note the "... you didn't have to ..." before it.

instead of "must never give up"?

That would be about the present or future (not the past).

I suppose think/suspect "must never" could apply to the context work much better in that context.

No. See above.

 

[emsr2d2]

In the original, it simply means "All you had to do was never give up on the idea ..."

Bear in mind that there's a longer set phrase "You just have/had to ...", usually ending "didn't you?" It's usually used to express the speaker's frustration about someone's [habitual] annoying behaviour.

Helen: Do you want to come to my birthday party on Saturday?
Dave: Only if it's better than last year when only three people turned up and two of them went home early!
Helen: Oh, you just had to bring that up, didn't you?! I've spent all year trying to forget about it.

Pete: Do you like my watch? It cost a thousand pounds.
John: It's OK. I prefer mine, though, which cost three thousand.
Pete: You always just have to show off, don't you?

By the way, did the original really have the spelling error "enjoied" or was that your mistake?

 

[kilroy65]

Why does the author uses ...

Why does the author use ...

 

[shootingstar]

Helen: Do you want to come to my birthday party on Saturday?
Dave: Only if it's better than last year when only three people turned up and two of them went home early!
Helen: Oh, you just had to bring that up, didn't you?! I've spent all year trying to forget about it.

Can Helen also say 'Oh, you just have to bring that up, don't you? . . ' in this context without changing the meaning substantially?