It’s time to review the featured book for February 2016. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes was selected as we wanted a romance themed book to tie in with Valentine’s Day. We also gave away TWO copies of the book to lucky subscribers. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up to the reader’s group if you’d like to be in with a chance of winning March’s featured book. It will be revealed tomorrow.
Upon finishing this book I was confused on my feelings and thought it would take me a while to process it. It’s now two weeks later and I’m still finding it hard to put words to my feelings. Even after discussing Me Before You with someone else I struggle to form a full opinion on it. All I know is that I enjoyed reading it, and I would read it again.
Me Before You starts with a young man suffering a tragic accident on the road. We later find out the man is Will Traynor and he’s now permanently disabled as a result. We’re then introduced to lead character Louisa Clarke who is made redundant from her beloved job at a cafe named ‘The Buttered Bun’. Louisa lives with her parents, sister nephew and granddad who are all dependent on money. With a demanding family and a fitness fanatic boyfriend (Patrick) to keep, Lousia is pressured to find a new source of income.
Louisa goes on Jobseeker’s allowance and is dismissive of the many undesirable roles offered to her. Eventually she’s pitched a job as a private carer for a quadriplegic, and low and behold things come full circle.
Without delving too much into the story and it’s outcome, Louisa and the now disabled Will Traynor develop a bond. It’s an interesting journey to follow as their first meeting results in Will trying to push Louisa resignation with his slick mouth and antics. Louisa and Will go from resenting each other’s company to becoming close companions, and it all starts with Louisa standing up to Will regardless of his disabilities. Will appreciates being treated as just another person (instead of being treated as a quadriplegic) and he often displays emotional longing for his past life as a hot-shot business prodigy.
While Lousia and Will (along with some of their immediate family) are nicely fleshed out in Me Before You, some of the other secondary characters suffer from being seen more as plot devices than real people. The biggest victim is Lousia’s boyfriend Patrick. It becomes a predictable story-arch where the outcome is inevitable from their first scene together as a couple.
There are a few other secondary characters that add nicely to the story even if they aren’t particularly likable characters.
At a quarter of the way through the story Louisa is confronted by a harsh revaluation that will have her evaluating her approach with Will. Louisa negotiates a deal with Will’s shrewd mother to where she’ll be able to plan trips and holidays for herself, Will and his part-time carer Nathan; all in an attempt to show Will that life is still worth living. This puts more emphasis on their relationship as patient and carer and makes the turn of events more palpitating to read as you reach further to the end.
Those prone to tears when reading will need to read with their pack of Kleenex at the ready. I give JoJo Moyes her credit at writing a story designed so intricately to make the reader feel something, and I am drawn to her writing as a result. Did I cry? No, but I was touched and it’s a story I will remember for a long time.
This story wraps up so neatly that I’m still baffled at a follow up book being written. I likely will pass on the sequel.
As for the movie adaption of Me Before You, I believe the only reason I’ll entertain the idea of watching it is because of the cast. Otherwise I’m quite happy for this story to exist in my mind just as it was written.
Me Before You is an easy read and for that reason I’d recommend it to most who enjoy something a little more thought-provoking. Be sure to read this one before the movie.
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