ME BEFORE YOU by JOJO MOYES.SOURCE: Ex-library stock.
BACK COVER BLURB: Lou Clark knows lots of things.
She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now, and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.
FIRST SENTENCE {Prologue: 2007}: When he emerges from the bedroom she is awake, propped up against the pillows and flicking through the travel brochures that were beside his bed.
MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 171}: I frowned at the list. "So ... I'll go back and tell the Traynors that I'm going to get their suicidal quadriplegic son drunk, spend their money on strippers and lap-dancers and then trundle him off to the Disability Olympics - "
MY THOUGHTS: Without giving too much away (I hope), the fictional story of what happens when one young man's life is changed in the blink of an eye. Me Before You opens wide the assisted dying/quality versus quantity of life debate.
Packing a powerful emotion packed punch the likes of which I haven't come across before. You could be forgiven that this is totally depressing read and yet whilst its true I did need a tissue (or five) it's not without its humorous moments .... but then such tales of tragedy rarely are.
Painting a wonderfully candid picture of the ins and outs, the highs and lows, of Will's life, of his physical/psychological needs, of his relationships (not least of which is the one with Louisa, his paid companion). Whilst there is no sexual content as such it has to be said that in parts the book contains some of the most moving, intimate and, yes, sensual moments that I've ever come across in print.
Indescribably powerful stuff in which even the most non-contemplative of readers must surely give pause for thought. JoJo Moyes does a tremendous job in laying out all of the arguments in this very humane tale at the heart of which is a beautifully tender and yet non-traditional romance.
13 comments:
This sounds like a very good book to me and I don't find the topic off-putting at all. (having just finished a memoir dealing with death)
I've only read one other Jojo Moyes book (at your recommendation) and loved it, so I feel sure I would enjoy her writing here. I have another of hers waiting in my TBR pile. I need to read it soon.
While it sounds like a lovely story, I tend to shy away from books that need a tissue or two to get through. Sad commercials can bring me to tears so why risk it?
Tracy, I'm glad you enjoyed this book. I loved it! Wonderful review, as always!
Beautiful review! I really do want to read this one. It sounds great.
The emotional aspect is something I can get into
This sounds like a powerful and unique read. I don't remember reading anything like this before. Based on the summary and your review I am definitely curious. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds good, and I've been seeing this author's name constantly on my friends' lists on Goodreads.
Great review Tracy. The book sounds so very good.
I do think that novels must at times show us some of the sadder aspects of life.
also think that it is important for fiction to sometimes address issues Social issues such as assisted dying.
It sounds like an amazing book. I feel bad that I haven't heard of it, since it was an international phenomenon.
This is definitely a 5* read. Glad you enjoyed it.
I heard so many great things about this author. I really need to try one of her books.
I hate to cry and this looks like I would shed a tear or two. :( Still, this does sound like a good book. I may have to add it to the maybe pile.
I have heard such wonderful things about this book, and I do hope to read something by this author at some point. But I am on the fence with this book. Your review is the first that has me thinking I should read it. That I might actually like it too.
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