Redd Reviews: Me Before You

Title: Me Before You

Author: JoJo Moyes

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Stand Alone or Series: Book 1 of 2

Reviewer: Redd Reader

Blurb:

"Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than her tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex-Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair-bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and he is not interested in exploring a new one.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, Lou sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?" - From JoJo Moyes Website http://www.jojomoyes.com/books/me-before-you/

Thoughts:

- You need to read it. Seriously. If you've been in a reading slump or felt emotionally detached from the characters in your recent reads, Me Before You will give you such a variety of feels you'll be in sensory overload. I finished it in one day and have no regrets. I absolutely could not get enough and had to know what happened. 

- The characters are relatable and possess realistic qualities and quirks which make you feel like you've always known them. We spend the majority of our time reading from Louisa's perspective, which is fine by me because I love her to pieces. Louisa maintains the ability to stay her own person as well as to grow from her experiences. She is flawed, which makes her human, but she also has many positive qualities. As a bonus, Louisa's fashion and hair are amazing… and play an important role in her character development.    

Now for Will. You can't help but fall for him, bad attitude and all. He is surly, pessimistic, and a grade A jerk when he first meets Louisa. However, as time goes on, we get to see many of Will's good qualities such as a strength of character and  a fierce determination. Will also maintains his ability to stay true to himself and his convictions. He challenges Louisa in many ways and expands her world through their connection.

There are also many other interesting characters but I won't go into further detail here. Just know they are all pretty well written and fleshed out.

- The complexities of relationships, both familial and romantic in nature, are both explored in earnest. I'm pretty sure the relationship between Lou and her sister, Trina, is my favorite relationship in the book. Ms. Moyes must have a sister because she nailed it on the head. Lou and Trina represent the most relatable sister relationship I have ever read. They walk the fine line of jealousy and competitiveness as well as being each others built-in best friend and unconditionally loving and supporting one another through the triumphs and the trials. I mean, who else hasn't tried to permanently borrow something of your siblings? 

- If you're like me, you will probably learn something new. I learned a good bit about the medical complications associated with being a quadriplegic. The information was presented in the context of the story and was woven in well. Quality of life was also explained in detail. Kinda like putting cheese on your broccoli… all learning in disguise style. 

- Finally, get ready to strap on your big girl pants because this novel is not a fluffy romantic romp (although there is romance) but rather a book that aims to tackle the morality of self selected death. It is a heavy topic. One which may make you uncomfortable, however, it is worth the discomfort. 

Worth a Read?

Yes. Even if you disagree with the moral issue this book takes a stance on, it is a must read. This is a book that challenges you to use your brain and think. Yes, the emotional highs and lows can send you reeling but, at its core this book presents information on both sides of the issue and allows the reader to reach their own conclusions. I would also daresay it challenges the reader to evaluate his or her own life and priorities as well. Me Before You will leave you thinking about it long after you put it down.

If you're excited for the movie, check out my Louisa hair tutorial below:

Discussion of Will's Choice:

At this point, this is the end of the spoiler free section of this review. Just a warning, from here on out we will be discussing a major plot point and I don't want to be held accountable for spoiling anyone so… feel free to return once you've read the book :-).

Me Before You addresses a person's right to die… and makes a pretty compelling case for the main character Will. You can't help but sympathize for Will, his loss, and what impending medical complications await him in the future. However, I would argue that Will is less trapped by his body and more imprisoned by his own mind and thought process.  Was his condition severe and long suffering? Yes. Yet, was Will the only man to ever suffer? To ever live a less than ideal life? No.

What bothered me about Will's character was that he never grew to look beyond the scope and needs of himself. He felt entitled to his life and abilities and never thought (at least that I could tell) about the lives of others in similar or worse situations. How would it have been to have never had the opportunity to walk or give someone a handshake? Or perhaps have a body, but never have the privilege of attending school because your primary concern is finding food from day to day? After I finished balling my eyes out and processing this book, I realized Will was extremely self-centered. Did he have a right to be? I guess that's up to individual interpretation, but, in his own words, "You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible."

Before his accident, Will lived for himself and his own pleasure, and after he still lived for himself by dwelling on all he could never do or be any longer. He never thought about his possibilities. I wish he could have seen how life is less about what you can do for yourself and more about your impact on other people. He never discovered the joy of living for someone other than himself (although I think he tried in his own way for Louisa). I believe if Will had rediscovered a sense of purpose, he may have chosen life. He still could have contributed to the world. Just think, here was a highly educated businessman who still could have done consulting or became a professor or perhaps held seminars and speaking engagements. Who knows all of the possibilities this intelligent and capable man could have explored. I just couldn't conceive how he thought he would be doing the world a favor by no longer being a part of it.

I just felt like there needed to be a counter argument to Will's choice. Life is a precious gift and it's not always a picnic. I do not wish to belittle the suffering of Will's character or others in his situation, but rather, to pose a counter argument. Life is still worth living. I was listening to a discussion about this book the other day and someone said Will's death being the ending was inevitable because the story would have been less impactful if he would have lived. I disagree. If Will had decided to live, I believe it would have been just as impactful. Is it not more noble to live and be part of the world than to die?

Whew… so, that was heavy.

Let me know if you had any thoughts on this one.

XO, 
Savanna