Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
This review has been a long time coming! I bought the book a little while ago from my local Oxfam book shop and have to admit it sat on my bookshelf for a little while untouched. Looking back, I have no idea why! I wish I'd read this book sooner, as it really touched me with its kind and thought provoking storyline.
The story is set in a small Scottish town, where both the main characters Lou and Will live, however with completely different lives. Before Will's accident, he was a successful business man living in London who, from all accounts, enjoyed his money, authority and women. At 35 however, he was knocked down my a motorbike and left a quadriplegic - unable to use anything from the neck down. He moved back to his parent's home where he lives in an assisted-living type annexe attached to their house; he is unable to care for himself and as a result needs round-the-clock care.
The is where Louisa comes in to the story. She is employed by Will's parents as a carer for Will, but she soon realises they haven't been entirely truthful with her and are hoping for more. No, not necessarily love, but they want Will to learn to enjoy life again.
I don't want to give too much away as this novel is full of twists and turns, heartbreaks and heartaches, but surprisingly enough, a huge amount of laughs and love. The story itself deals with some moral and ethical issues; the right to die, and all the emotions and internal concerns that go alongside that. You learn to see the situation from both Will's and Louisa's perspective, perhaps thinking about the issue in a way you hadn't before. The story is not just about Will's troubles however, and we get to see into Louisa's reality and how she has come to be so dependent on small-town life.
Yes, this sounds horrifically depressing, but I promise you it is one of the best books I've read for a while. It isn't just filled with doom and gloom - Jojo Moyes is similar in style to Marian Keyes and is able to address serious issues with the care they deserve, but as well as with humour and compassion.
This is definitely a must-read! I'm looking forward to reading some of Moyes' other novels; The Girl You Left Behind is next on my list!
Health warning: I cried like an absolutely baby several times whilst reading this - beware!!
Have you read Me Before You? What did you think?
I loved this book! So honest and wonderfully written...and I liked the way it ended, very real...so emotional though
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I've just finished this book, I absolutely loved but it broke my heart so many times. It made me think more than any book I've read in a long time though x
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this too - read it on holiday and just cried my way through it by the pool! x
ReplyDeleteI sobbed the whole way home in the car, I'm sure my boyfriend thought I was a bit strange! I'd dismissed it as chick lit for too long but it was so much more than that
ReplyDeleteI thought this sounded rather gloomy but I've read so many positive reviews that I think I will have to pick it up!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book! It really got me thinking about my own life. I bought The Girl You Left Behind a couple of weeks ago and will be reading it soon!
ReplyDeleteThis book is soo good, the cover really undersells how good it is! X
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me I am a complete failure when it comes to my 2013 goal to read more books. So this evening after reading blogs I will have a pamper sesh and sit down with a book and have a read before bed! I used to fall asleep with a book on my face. This needs to happen again! haha
ReplyDeleteLeanne @ Leanne-Marie | Beauty, fashion & lifestyle. x x
I have read this, I enjoyed it too. It sounds so depressing but it's actually written in a non-self pitying, realistic, honest way, if that makes sense! Sad though. But the subject matter/characters/plot are dealt with in a much better way than they could have been in a, say, Jodi Picoult style. xxx
ReplyDeleteThis actually sounds like a book I'd enjoy, the cheesy girly covers always put me off though! I'll search it out in the library, thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this post as I didn't want to spot any spoilers but this is the book I'm reading next and, as it has had such good reviews, I'm really excited to read it!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to read this book, it sounds really interesting. I work as a carer and have experience caring for people with similar injuries, it really is sad but can happen to anyone at anytime and really makes you think about what is important in life, particularly when the people are a similar age to myself. x
ReplyDeleteI don't know why, but I kind of felt like this book was a guilty pleasure...not particularly groundbreaking and not bestseller material. BUT it is amazing, it did leave me stunned (even though I guessed what would happen) and it's one of those books that has really stayed with me x
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of what I consider to be 'girly' books but this was one of my great reads of last year. It wasn't a tricky read but definitely hit the spot and I have since passed it on to other people to read!
ReplyDeleteErin
http://groggits.wordpress.com
This sounds like a nice feel good book (assuming the ending is good!!) x
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered your blog and absolutely love your bookworm section. I could spend hours reading your reviews. 'Me Before You' is going to be next on my list. If you like mystery novels with a slight gothic feel I would suggest 'The Book Thief' I couldn't put it down.
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I have just finished reading this after seeing this review and absolutely balling my eyes out!
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